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For information on religion in the 2008 campaign, go to Religion & Politics '08 »

The United States has a long tradition of separating church from state, yet a powerful inclination to mix religion and politics. Throughout our nation's history, great political and social movements – from abolition to women's suffrage to civil rights to today's struggles over abortion and gay marriage – have drawn upon religious institutions for moral authority, inspirational leadership and organizational muscle. In recent years, religion has been woven more deeply into the fabric of partisan politics than ever before.

The Pew Forum offers a variety of resources that probe the relationship between religion and politics, including reports, event transcripts, polling data and news clips.


Religious Profiles of the President and Vice President
Go to the Pew Forum's Religion & Politics '08 for religious profiles of Barack Obama and Joe Biden that include in-depth religious biographies, their views on 12 values-laden issues, public opinion data and more.

Barack Obama Barack Obama Religious Profile
Obama embraced Christianity as it was presented to him in a dynamic black church on Chicago's South Side.
Joe Biden  Joe Biden Religious Profile
Born to Irish-Catholic parents, Biden briefly considered becoming a priest when he was a young student.

Resource Pages
Religion and the Presidency
Abortion
Campaign 2006

Photo Credit: Joseph Sohm; Visions of America/CORBIS


Pew Forum Resources on Religion & Politics

Transcripts

Obama's Favorite Theologian? A Short Course on Reinhold Niebuhr
May 4, 2009

Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
April 27, 2009

The Political Obligations of Catholics: A Conversation With the Most Rev. Charles Chaput, Archbishop of Denver
March 17, 2009

A Post-Election Look at Religious Voters in the 2008 Election
December 8, 2008

Religion and Race: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective
December 8, 2008

Related Transcripts
All Transcripts

Publications

Graphic: About One-in-Six Americans Are Baptist
June 2009

The Torture Debate: A Closer Look
May 2009

Graphic: Prayer in America
April 2009

Obama, Catholics and the Notre Dame Commencement
April 2009

Related Publications
All Publications

Religion News

Sanford, Ensign sought guidance, fellowship, at Capitol Hill house owned by Christian group
The Associated Press
July 1, 2009

Pastor Warren to address American Muslims
The Associated Press
July 1, 2009

Council Votes for Two Muslim School Holidays
The New York Times
June 30, 2009

Related News
All News

Other Resources

General Information
Advocacy Organizations
Religious Organizations

Religious Landscape Survey

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