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Issues

Explore Pew Forum publications—including public opinion polls, demographic reports, research studies, event transcripts and interviews—on key issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs:

 

Abortion Education Politics & Elections
Church-State Law Gay Marriage & Homosexuality Science & Bioethics
Death Penalty Government Social Welfare
Same-Sex Marriage State-by-State
Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage following a ruling by the state's highest court in 2003. To date, courts, legislatures and voters in 12 states and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage, while 30 states have amended their constitutions to ban gay marriage. View a map that shows each state’s current policy on same-sex marriage.
Pakistani Views on Religion, Politics and Democracy
Pakistanis are scheduled to go to the polls to elect a new parliament and governing party or coalition on May 11. But a Pew Research Center survey of Muslims around the world finds that Pakistani Muslims are among the least likely to express support for democracy.   
TEDx: Religious Freedom by the Numbers
Brian J. Grim, Senior Researcher at the Pew Research Center, talks about religious freedoms and restrictions at the TEDx Viadella Conciliazione conference.
State Legislation Restricting Use of Foreign or Religious Law
On Monday, the Oklahoma Senate passed a bill intended to prevent the use of foreign law in state courts. The bill contains language from model legislation designed to limit the use of sharia, or Islamic law. A new interactive map details similar bills introduced or enacted in 32 states between 2010 and 2012.
Graphics Slideshow: Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage
A series of graphics shows how public opinion toward same-sex marriage has changed in Pew Research Center polls since 2001. See how much opinion varies by generation, religious group, gender, race and political party.
How Important is the Abortion Issue?
The public is split on whether abortion is a critical or important issue or whether it is not that important an issue. But this masks stark differences in opinion between regular churchgoers and those who attend religious services less often.
Public Opinion on Abortion and Roe v. Wade
Public Opinion on Abortion and Roe v. Wade 2013-01-18 Jan. 22, 2013, is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. A quarter of the U.S. public (25%) sees abortion as morally wrong and would like to have the decision completely overturned, according to a
Public Opinion on Abortion Slideshow
A series of graphics explores public opinion on abortion, illustrating how opinion differs among various demographic groups, including religious, political, age and gender groups.
Voters in Four States to Address Same-Sex Marriage in November
Keeping track of the legal status of same-sex marriage across the country can be difficult. As voters in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington state prepare to address the issue in November, this map illustrates the situation in all 50 states.
Americans Continue To Be Wary of Church Involvement in Partisan Politics
In a July 2012 Pew Research Center survey, two-thirds of American adults say churches and other houses of worship should not come out in favor of one candidate over another during political elections. 
Religion and the Political Parties
A new slideshow illustrates trends in support for the U.S. political parties among various religious groups since 2008. 
Mormonism in the 2012 Election
A new slideshow highlights recent Pew Research Center data on voters’ views of the Mormon religion and Mormons’ opinions on their place in society.