Religion & Government

Most Americans say religion's influence is shrinking, and about half (48%) see conflict between their own religious beliefs and mainstream American culture.

The most common kinds of government restrictions on religion in 2021 included harassment of religious groups and interference in worship.

In 2021, government restrictions on religion – laws, policies and actions by state officials that limit religious beliefs and practices – reached a new peak globally. Harassment of religious groups and interference in worship were two of the most common forms of government restrictions worldwide that year.

Majorities of White Christian groups say the large number of migrants seeking to enter at the border with Mexico is a “crisis” for the United States.

The Chinese government closely regulates religious activity – here are 10 things to know about their policies on religion.

Despite the Chinese Communist Party's ban on religion, some 6% of party members formally identify with a religion.

The Census Bureau has collected data on Americans’ income, race, ethnicity, housing and other things, but it has never directly asked about their religion.

While there has been a decades-long decline in the Christian share of U.S. adults, 88% of the voting members in the new 118th Congress identify as Christian. That is only a few points lower than their share in the late 1970s.

There has been a jump in the share of U.S. adults who see the Supreme Court as “friendly” toward religion.

Our study analyzes 198 countries and territories and is based on policies and events in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available.