Sandra Stencel

A top Mormon leader recently made headlines this week when he acknowledged that past actions by church leaders may have contributed to doubts about church teachings. About one-in-five (22%) church memberssay they find some of the church’s teachings hard to believe.

A major new Pew Research Center survey of American Jews includes an analysis of the views and characteristics of non-Jewish people with a “Jewish affinity.”

Sudan is one of an increasing number of countries whose governments regulate the wearing of religious symbols or attire, such as head coverings for women or facial hair for men.

Some religious groups are pushing for an end to a ban on clergy endorsements of political candidates. Pew Research polling has shown that Americans are wary of church involvement in partisan politics.

Blacks and Hispanics (46% each) are somewhat more inclined than whites (34%) to say they would want treatments to dramatically extend life.