Some major U.S. religious groups differ from their members on the death penalty
Many large religious groups have taken positions in opposition to the death penalty even though that stance is sometimes at odds with the opinions of their adherents.
How the Supreme Court’s decision for gay marriage could affect religious institutions
Some legal scholars and others are trying to determine how a ruling granting same-sex couples a constitutional right to wed might affect religious institutions.
Americans split over whether businesses must serve same-sex couples
A new Indiana religious freedom law has sparked national debate. Some say it strengthens protection of religious liberty, while others say it could provide legal cover for businesses to discriminate. The U.S. public is divided over these types of issues.
Q&A: How Pew Research measures global restrictions on religion
We sat down with researcher Peter Henne to learn more about the complex process of measuring global religious restrictions.
Latest Trends in Religious Restrictions and Hostilities
Social hostilities toward religion declined in 2013, while government restrictions on religious beliefs and practices remained level. Harassment of Jews, however, reached a seven-year high.
Restrictions and Hostilities in the Most Populous Countries
Explore the levels of social hostilities and government restrictions on religion in the world's 25 most populous counties since 2007.
House Catholics are trending Republican
More House Republicans in the new, 114th Congress identify as Catholic than in any other recent Congress, and they now outnumber Catholic Democrats in the House.
Religious affiliations of members of Congress mirror regional trends
A regional comparison of members of Congress with the general public shows that, when it comes to religious affiliation, voters frequently choose representatives who share their faith.
History of Clergy in Congress
Seven ordained ministers hold seats in the new Congress – one more than the number in the very first U.S. Congress (1789-1791).1 But because Congress was a much smaller body in the late 18th century than it is now – there were 91 members in the first Congress, compared with 535 voting members today – […]
Faith on the Hill
More than nine-in-ten members of the newly elected 114th Congress are Christian -- a significantly higher share than is seen in the general population. However, many other major religious groups are represented in the body, including Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and the unaffiliated.
