As part of its mission to explore the role religion plays in American public life, the Pew Forum develops and releases an annual survey on religion and public life. In addition, the Forum periodically commissions shorter polls on particularly timely issues. Many of the surveys listed below are joint projects of the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.
Surveys
Modest Rise in Concern About Islamic Extremism
Post-Fort Hood
November 18, 2009
Faith-Based Programs Still Popular, Less Visible
Church-State Concerns Persist
November 16, 2009
Majority Continues To Support Civil Unions
Most Still Oppose Same-Sex Marriage
October 9, 2009
Support for Abortion Slips
Issue Ranks Lower on the Agenda
October 1, 2009
Muslims Widely Seen As Facing Discrimination
Views of Religious Similarities and Differences
September 9, 2009
Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S.
April 27, 2009
Many Americans Say Other Faiths Can Lead to Eternal Life
Most Christians Say Non-Christian Faiths Can Lead to Salvation
December 18, 2008
More Americans Question Religion's Role in Politics
Some Social Conservative Disillusionment
August 21, 2008
Pope Benedict's Image Improves Following U.S. Visit
Following his first visit to the United States as spiritual leader of the world's Catholics, Pope Benedict XVI is viewed more favorably than he was a few weeks before his trip.
May 6, 2008
Pope Still Unknown to Many Americans
Mixed Ratings for Pontiff's Outreach to Other Religions
April 3, 2008
The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
Study shows most detailed estimates to date of the size and demographic characteristics of religious groups in the U.S. and finds that religious affiliation is both very diverse and extremely fluid.
February 25, 2008
Public Expresses Mixed Views of Islam, Mormonism
Benedict XVI Viewed Favorably But Faulted on Religious Outreach
Most Americans say they know little or nothing about the Muslim and Mormon religions.
September 26, 2007
Religion in Campaign '08
Clinton and Giuliani Seen as Not Highly Religious; Romney's Religion Raises Concerns
Religion is not proving to be a clear-cut positive in the 2008 presidential campaign.
September 6, 2007
Muslim Americans: Middle Class and Mostly Mainstream
May 22, 2007
Changing Faiths: Latinos and the Transformation of American Religion
A joint survey by the Pew Hispanic Project and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
April 25, 2007
Nigeria's Presidential Election: The Christian-Muslim Divide
March 21, 2007
Religion and the 2006 Elections
A Pew Research Center Analysis
December 1, 2006
Spirit and Power
A 10-Country Survey of Pentecostals
October 5, 2006
Includes public opinion data on:
Brazil
Chile
Guatemala
India
Kenya
Nigeria
Philippines
South Africa
South Korea
U.S.
Many Americans Uneasy with Mix of Religion and Politics
69% Say Liberals Too Secular, 49% Say Conservatives Too Assertive
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
August 24, 2006
Includes public opinion data on:
Biblical Literalism
Church & State
Environment
Evolution & Creationism
Global Warming
The Political Parties & Religion
Religion’s Influence
Support for Israel
Pragmatic Americans Liberal and Conservative on Social Issues
Most Want Middle Ground on Abortion
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
August 3, 2006
Includes public opinion data on:
Abortion
Birth Control
Evolution & Creationism
Gay Adoption
Gay Marriage
Stem Cell Research
Do the Democrats Have a 'God Problem'?
How Public Perceptions May Spell Trouble for the Party
A Pew Forum Backgrounder
July 6, 2006
Public Opinion Trends on Gay Marriage
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
July 26, 2006
Religion and Stem Cell Research
Public Opinion on Stem Cell Research
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
July 18, 2006
Prospects for Inter-Religious Understanding
Will Views Toward Muslims and Islam Follow Historical Trends?
A Pew Forum Analysis
March 22, 2006
Includes public opinion data on:
Catholics and Jews
Islam, Violence and Global Conflict
Mosques and Faith Based Initiatives
Abortion Seen as Most Important Issue for Supreme Court
Most favor legal abortion, but with more limits
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
November 29, 2005
Reaction to Harriet Miers' Nomination
Public Opinion on Religion and the Nomination
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
October 17, 2005
Religion a Strength and Weakness for Both Parties
Public Divided on Origins of Life
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
August 30, 2005
Includes public opinion data on:
Contrasting Party Images: The Political Parties and Religion
Evolution & Creationism
Religion & Politics
Promoting Democracy
Support for Israel
Religion & Mideast Views
Faith-Based Aid
Gays in the Military
Abortion and Rights of Terror Suspects Top Court Issues
Strong Support for Stem Cell Research
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
August 3, 2005
Includes public opinion data on:
Abortion
Stem Cell Research
Death Penalty
Euthanasia
Gay Marriage
Views of Muslim-Americans Hold Steady After London Bombings
Fewer Say Islam Encourages Violence
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
July 26, 2005
Includes public opinion data on:
Islam
Muslim-Americans
Global Conflict
American Evangelicals and Israel
Public Opinion on Religion and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
April 15, 2005
Religion and the 2004 Election: A Post-Election Analysis
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
by John C. Green, Senior Fellow in Religion and American Politics, Pew Forum, and Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron; Corwin E. Smidt, Professor of Political Science, Calvin College; Professor of Political Science, Furman University; and Lyman A. Kellstedt, Professor of Political Science, Wheaton College
February 3, 2005
Includes public opinion data on:
Party Coalitions
How the Faithful Voted
Impact of Issues
Religious Landscape
Religion and the Environment
Public Opinion on Religion and Environmental Protection
A Pew Forum Fact Sheet
November 2, 2004
Religion and the 2004 Election: A Pre-Election Analysis
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
John C. Green, Senior Fellow in Religion and American Politics, Pew Forum, and Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron
September 9, 2004
Includes public opinion data on:
Religion and Politics
Stem Cell Research
Gay Marriage
Poverty
Foreign Affairs
Views of Islam Remain Sharply Divided
Public Opinion on Islam
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
September 9, 2004
Includes public opinion data on:
Islam
Mideast
GOP the Religion-Friendly Party, But Stem Cell Issue May Help Democrats
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
August 24, 2004
Includes public opinion data on:
Religion and Party Politics
Stem Cell Research
Catholic Leaders and Communion
Churches and Politics
Politicians and Faith
Gay Marriage
Ten Commandments in Public Buildings
Religious Beliefs Underpin Opposition to Homosexuality
Public Opinion on Homosexuality and Gay Marriage
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
November 18, 2003
Includes public opinion data on:
Religion and Homosexuality
Gay Marriage
Religion and Politics: Contention and Consensus
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
July 24, 2003
Includes public opinion data on:
Religion and Politics
Religion, Voting, and the Campaign
Religion, Belief and Policy
Changing Perceptions of Islam
Americans Hearing about Iraq From the Pulpit, But Religious Faith Not Defining Opinions
Public Opinion on Religion and the Iraq Conflict
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
March 19, 2003
Includes public opinion data on:
War and Morality
Public Makes Distinctions on Genetic Research
Cloning Opposed, Stem Cell Research Narrowly Supported
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
April 9, 2002
Includes public opinion data on:
Stem Cell Research
Americans Struggle with Religion's Role at Home and Abroad
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
March 20, 2002
Includes public opinion data on:
Religions Role in the World
Moral Values
Religion and American Life
Atheists and the Non-Religious
Muslim Americans
Islam
Religion and Politics
Post 9-11 Attitudes
Religion More Prominent, Muslim-Americans More Accepted
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
December 6, 2001
Includes public opinion data on:
Muslim Americans
Growing Influence of Religion
War and Morality
Faith-Based Funding Backed, But Church-State Doubts Abound
Public Opinion on Religion and Public Life
A survey jointly developed by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
April 10, 2001
Includes public opinion data on:
Faith-Based Initiatives
Tolerance
Religion, Politics and Policy
Religion in American Life
Religion and Politics
The Ambivalent Majority
A survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
September 20, 2000
Includes public opinion data on:
Religion and Politics
Charitable Choice