Report Finds Pope's Visit No. 1 Religion Story of 2008
An analysis of mainstream media coverage by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism finds that attention to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States in April was the single biggest religion story of 2008, eclipsing even faith-related controversies surrounding the presidential election. Read the report »
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Most Mainline Protestants Say Society Should Accept Homosexuality
Members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are considering whether to allow the ordination of openly gay clergy. A graphic using data from the Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey shows that most (56%) members of mainline Protestant denominations say homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted by society. View the graphic »
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Texas Moment of Silence Statute Upheld
On March 16, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality
of a 2003 Texas statute that requires students to observe a moment of
silence in which they may "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any
other silent activity." In its decision, the 5th Circuit ruled that the
statute had "an adequate secular purpose," namely, "to promote
patriotism and allow for a moment of quiet contemplation." A 2008 Pew
Forum analysis of a similar Illinois case explores the constitutional
issues that are generally raised when state legislatures enact
moment of silence statutes. Read the analysis »
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March 13 - Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
Stem Cell Dilemmas
Pew Forum Senior Fellow David Masci discusses religious, ethical, and moral perspectives on lifting federal funding limits on embryonic stem cell research.
Read more Pew Forum in the News articles »
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