pewforum.org Topics Issues

Government

rp2012
Religion & Politics 2012

Religion & Politics 2012 includes news, analysis and data on the role of religion in politics, social issues, candidates and political parties relevant to the 2011-12 primary and general election cycle.

 
Religion in Prisons
According to a survey of professional prison chaplains, America’s state penitentiaries are a bustle of religious activity. Chaplains say that efforts by inmates to convert other inmates are common and that at least some religious switching occurs. And chaplains overwhelmingly consider religion-based programming an important aspect of rehabilitating prisoners.
Few Say Religion Shapes Immigration, Environment Views
Many Americans continue to say their religious beliefs have been highly influential in shaping their views about social issues, including abortion and same-sex marriage. But far fewer cite religion as a top influence on their opinions about several other social and political issues, including how the government should deal with immigration, the environment and poverty.
Growing Number of Americans Say Obama is a Muslim
A substantial and growing number of Americans say that Barack Obama is a Muslim, while the proportion saying he is a Christian has declined. More than a year and a half into his presidency, a plurality of the public says they do not know what religion Obama follows.
GOP Seen as Friendlier To Religion Than Democrats
The number of Americans describing the Democratic Party as friendly toward religion returned to levels similar to those seen in 2005 through 2007, according to a recent survey report. The Obama administration, however, is seen as friendly toward religion by more people (37%) than the Democratic Party as a whole (29%).
Religion in South Africa 15 Years After the End of Apartheid
Data from a 10-country survey of Pentecostals conducted by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life in 2006 provides estimates of the religious affiliation of South Africa's urban population.
Many Americans Uneasy with Mix of Religion and Politics
69% Say Liberals Too Secular, 49% Say Conservatives Too Assertive August 24, 2006 Download the complete report Navigate this Report Introduction and Summary Section I - Religion and Public Life Section II - Religion and Politics Section III - Reli...
Do the Democrats Have a 'God Problem'?
How Public Perceptions May Spell Trouble for the Party by Gregory A. Smith, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and Peyton M. Craighill, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press In the immediate aftermath of George W. Bush's 2004 vic...
Reaction to Harriet Miers' Nomination: Less Support for Miers than for Roberts
Download this Fact Sheet (22K .pdf) Nearly two weeks after the announcement of the selection of Harriet Miers to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, controversy continues to surround the nomination. Recent polling, conducte...
Religion and the Environment: Polls Show Strong Backing for Environmental Protection Across Religious Groups
October 2004 Download this Fact Sheet (76K .pdf) In contrast to abortion, gay marriage and other hot-button cultural issues, which divide most religious groups in the United States, there is a fairly strong consensus across faith traditions on env...
GOP the Religion-Friendly Party, But Stem Cell Issue May Help Democrats
August 24, 2004 Download the complete report Navigate this Report GOP More Friendly to Religion Stem Cell Research Views Shifting Catholic Leaders and Communion Churches and Politics Politicians and Faith Gay Marriage Ten Commandments in Public Bu...
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus
Religion is a critical factor these days in the public's thinking about contentious policy issues and political matters.