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Religious Affiliation

Individuals identify with particular religious traditions for theological, doctrinal, cultural or other reasons. Explore Pew Forum publications—including public opinion polls, demographic reports, research studies, event transcripts and interviews—about various faiths and their members.

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The Global Religious Landscape
A country-by-country analysis of data from more than 2,500 censuses, surveys and population registers finds that 84% of adults and children around the globe are religiously affiliated. The study also finds that the median age of two major groups – Muslims (23 years) and Hindus (26) – is younger than the world’s overall population (28), while Jews have the highest median age (36).

 

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Is There a Global Resurgence of Religion?
The World Values Survey indicates religion is not dying but it is changing.
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Americanism
In his new book, Überpower: The Imperial Temptation of America, Josef Joffe offers an analysis of the danger and burden of America's standing as a singular global power. He also investigates the similarities between classical anti-Semitism an...
Islam and the West: A Conversation with Bernard Lewis
The relationship between Islam and the West will be a defining feature of the 21st century, particularly in the Middle East. How should U.S. policymakers engage with the Muslim world? Will the spread of democracy throughout the Muslim world blunt ...
Moved by the Spirit: Pentecostal Power & Politics after 100 Years
April 2006 marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, an event that is often cited as the birth of modern pentecostalism. Since then, pentecostalism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing Christian movements in the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in the "global South," which comprises the nations of Africa, Central and Latin America and most of Asia, where pentecostalism is reshaping the religious, political and economic landscapes
The New Face of Global Christianity: The Emergence of 'Progressive Pentecostalism'
The Pew Forum interviewed Dr. Donald Miller of the University of Southern California in conjunction with a roundtable on pentecostalism it co-sponsored with the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles, Calif. Dr. Miller discussed th...
Islam in Southeast Asia
Anwar Ibrahim has been called a leading force for reform in Malaysia and has written extensively on the political influence of Islam in Southeast Asia. After serving from 1993 to 1998 as Malaysia's deputy prime minister, Anwar was considered the h...
Islam and the Global War on Terrorism in Latin America
The Pew Forum co-sponsored a symposium with the National Defense University's School for National Security Executive Education on "Religion, Conflict and the Global War on Terrorism in Latin America." A panel entitled "Islam and the...
Christianity and Conflict in Latin America
The Pew Forum co-sponsored a symposium with the National Defense University's School for National Security Executive Education on "Religion, Conflict and the Global War on Terrorism in Latin America." A panel entitled "Christianity ...
The Supreme Court's Decision in Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita
Unanimous Court Upholds Group's Right to Use Illegal Drug in Worship Services Download the Decision Analysis Download the Legal Backgrounder On Feb. 29, 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the adherents of a small religious group can continue, for ...
Prospects for Inter-Religious Understanding
Will Views Toward Muslims and Islam Follow Historical Trends? Download this analysis (164K .pdf) Although tolerance is an American ideal and freedom of religion is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, American history has oft...
Abortion Seen as Most Important Issue for Supreme Court
Most favor legal abortion, but with more limits Download this Fact Sheet (44K .pdf) On November 30, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the case of Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, marking the first time in five years...
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...
Evangelicals and the New Global Mission
Speakers to include: Deborah Fikes, Midland Ministerial Alliance, Texas Professor Allen Hertzke, University of Oklahoma Dr. Paul Marshall, Center for Religious Freedom, a Division of Freedom House Ambassador Robert A. Seiple, Institute for Global ...
Public Divided on Origins of Life
Religion A Strength And Weakness For Both Parties August 30, 2005 Download the complete report Navigate this Report Executive Summary Contrasting Party Images: The Political Parties and Religion Evolution & Creationism Religion & Politics ...
Abortion and Rights of Terror Suspects Top Court Issues
Strong Support for Stem Cell Research August 3, 2005 Download the complete report About the Survey Questionnaire Abortion has dominated the early skirmishing over President Bush's nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. But the public tak...
Views of Muslim-Americans Hold Steady After London Bombings
Fewer Say Islam Encourages Violence July 26, 2005 Download the complete report Questionnaire Detailed Demographic Tables The July 7 terrorist bombings in London drew considerable public attention and raised fears of another attack in the United St...
The Constitutional Status of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act: Cutter v. Wilkinson
Download the Legal Backgrounder (March 2005, 164K .pdf) Download the Addendum (June 2005, 121K .pdf) Read the Pew Forum Discussion transcript The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Person...
Vatican Foreign Policy in the New Pontificate
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life interviewed Dr. J. Peter Pham on June 10, 2005, following a roundtable on "Vatican Foreign Policy in the New Pontificate," co-sponsored by the Forum and the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Ph...
Myths of the Modern Megachurch
Some of the nation's leading journalists gathered in Key West, Florida, in May 2005 for the Pew Forum's biannual Faith Angle conference on religion, politics and public life. Conference speaker Rick Warren, pastor of the largest church in America,...
The Coming Religious Wars? Demographics and Conflict in Islam and Christianity
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Council on Foreign Relations co-hosted a roundtable to explore geopolitical implications of the growth, distribution and migration of Muslim and Christian populations. Population momentum - rapid...
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