Pew Forum

Survey describes faith behind bars

Movies and TV portray hardened criminals cursing God and everyone else. In reality, many inmates worship God and practice their faith behind bars.

Americans tiring of hearing about God on campaign trail

New survey from the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life shows many Americans think politicians talk about religion too much.

Women of faith: Female clergy are shaping American religion from the pulpit

Betty Wells' sense of humor and love of people cause those around her to say she has a sweet spirit.

Prison chaplains: The ups and downs of ministering to the incarcerated

There are errands to be run and a big stack of mail that needs his attention, but Lonn Buckley doesn't hesitate when the woman, short and stout with earnest brown eyes, asks to chat for a minute.

The 'Mormon moment-um'

I was recently asked by a Brazilian reporter of Istoe Independente, a weekly magazine, to share my lay thoughts on the media focus on Mormons in light of the Mitt Romney presidential campaign and related flashes of high-profile Latter-day Saints.

Temple Square abloom for LDS general conference

When President Dieter F. Uchtdorf stands up this morning, he will be speaking to a lot of different audiences.

In Utah, religion is truly an all-or-nothing proposition

A new survey from Gallup details how Utah's religious observance is the most statistically extreme in the nation.

Religious freedom as a core human right: A three-sided, global debate

The images are so ghastly that Al Jazeera froze the video, allowing only voices to tell the tale. An Indonesian mob shouting "Allah Akbar" surrounded three men at the doorway of their mosque, stripped them naked and beat them to death with stones, sticks and machetes. Police officers stood by, helpless or indifferent.

New survey of prison chaplains shines light on religious life in jail

Four out of 10 state prison chaplains say religious extremism is somewhat or very common in the correctional facilities where they work, according to a survey released today by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

The God Gaps: Why religious affiliation and attendance affect U.S. politics

While watching "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise" on HBO with her conservative mother, Beverly Sharp's liberal leanings on the topic of same-sex marriage came to light. When Sharp's mom protested that a lesbian couple on the show was being able to adopt a child, Sharp came to the couple's defense.

One Lord, one faith, one baptism? Political differences among evangelicals worldwide

Sarah Taylor sat peacefully in the sanctuary of Coram Deo church in Eagle Mountain, Utah, normally a place of clarity and not confusion. The church's name, meaning "before the face of God," describes how Taylor tries to make her decisions — comfortable before his face. Worshipping with the family she lived with the Sunday following the 2008 presidential election, 13-year-old Toddy asked Taylor about one of those decisions.

Caring for creation: Faith groups have a role in environmental causes

At first glance, the simple red brick church at the end of the road looks a lot like all of the other red brick churches in Farmington, Utah. There's a view of the mountains on one side and a maze of power lines on the other, but on this fairly warm February day, the clue to what makes this church different is on the roof: solar panels and a light dusting of snow.

Caring for creation: Faith groups have a role in environmental causes

At first glance, the simple red brick church at the end of the road looks a lot like all of the other red brick churches in Farmington, Utah. There's a view of the mountains on one side and a maze of power lines on the other, but on this fairly warm February day, the clue to what makes this church different is on the roof: solar panels and a light dusting of snow.

Polls split on Catholic view of Obama

Three new polls released on Tuesday show conflicting evidence as to whether President Obama has suffered any damage in the critical Catholic voter demographic. Pundits are watching carefully to see if Obama suffers in this key demographic.

Ties that bind? How interfaith marriages struggle — and thrive

Sitting at the Christmas dinner table with her eyes closed and head bowed, Alexis Gewertz felt out of place for the first time. Although she had never avoided talking or learning about Jesus as a Jewish woman, the religiosity of the pre-meal grace at her boyfriend's family's Rhode Island home in December 2009 raised some cultural red flags.

LDS Church, other religious groups respond to Prop 8 ruling

Shortly after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling that California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a response.

Religion continues to splinter GOP, despite Nevada results

Religion continues to splinter GOP, despite Nevada results

Mitt Romney won across almost all demographics and all religious groups in Nevada on Saturday, entrance polls show, but a new Washington Post/ABC News polls suggests that deep divisions remain within the party.

Troubles abound at special Las Vegas caucus

Angry Ron Paul supporters overtook a special caucus Saturday night for religious voters who honor the Sabbath, prompting long lines, frantic GOP officials and voter fraud complaints.

Mormons opening up in an Internet world

Daniel Peterson remembers when he was blindsided. It was in the early 1980s and Peterson was in his late 20s. He was surprised at what a critic of the LDS Church had written. "It knocked me for a loop for a few days," he said. The critic claimed Oliver Cowdery, an early Mormon leader and witness of the Book of Mormon, recanted his testimony.

Role of personal faith in the presidency debated by Republican candidates

As the field of candidates narrows and the election creeps ever closer, the Republican presidential debates are becoming not just more spirited, but more spiritual.

Alabama's immigration law dividing religious community

In the months since Alabama passed the nation's toughest immigration law, Yenny Laney's life has changed drastically

Pew's studies add to understanding of Latter-day Saints in America

A pair of new studies by the Pew Forum about religion provides powerful insight into the Latter-day Saints in America.

LDS religious commitment high, Pew survey finds

For the 1,019 self-identified Mormons who participated in the Pew survey, their theological position is clear: Mormons believe in Jesus Christ, and they consider themselves to be Christian.

Other newspapers report on 'Mormons in America' poll by Pew Center

Thursday's release of a new Pew Forum Survey of "Mormons in America" created headlines in newspapers and online journals all around the world.

Virtually follow the apostles around the world, and Pew Forum roundup

Study the Pew Forum Mormon stats. View a new Mormon Messages video about the priesthood. Follow the apostles and prophets virtually around the world. And download an "I am a Child of God" printable. All today in the Bloggernacle.

Diffusion of faith: Immigrants are transforming American Christianity

Father Alex Pereida knows what to expect when he visits his former parish, Holy Trinity, for worship services.

'Mormons in America' Pew survey explores beliefs, attitudes of LDS Church members

As the "Mormon moment" extends into 2012, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life Thursday releases a groundbreaking new survey, the first ever published by a non-LDS research organization to focus exclusively on members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their beliefs, values, perceptions and political preferences.

Beyond exercise: Yoga can be a spiritual experience for all faiths

When fitness instructor Cindy Senarighi walked into her first yoga class 10 years ago, she figured it would be something she could teach when she was old and "get paid for having people lay around."

Many say 'So what?' to religion, atheism

When Ben Helton signed up for an online dating service, under "religion" he called himself "spiritually apathetic."

Christianity has become less European over past century, study says

LOS ANGELES — With the Christmas season under way, a new study finds that the Christian percentage of the world's population has remained fairly steady over the last century but that its distribution has changed dramatically, with just 25 percent now found in Europe, a slightly higher percentage than in sub-Saharan Africa.

Christians number 2 billion and growing worldwide

Christians now number more than 2 billion around the world, but unlike 100 years ago, they're no longer heavily concentrated in Europe. Instead, the bulk of Christians can be found in the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific.

'Cult of Mormon' comment leads Newt Gingrich's Iowa political director, Craig Bergman, to resign

Craig Bergman joined Newt Gingrich's team last Thursday as the Iowa political director for the Republican frontrunner. He resigned Wednesday after he appeared to call Mormonism a "cult."

Every knee shall bow? Many atheist scientists take their kids to church

A new study shows some atheists may be celebrating the birth of Christ in traditionally religious ways this Christmas.

George Gallup Jr.'s interest in religion

Decade after decade, the Gallup Organization reported some of the most familiar numbers in American religion.

LDS Christianity: Differences that matter

They gather twice each year — once on the Provo, Utah, campus of Brigham Young University and once at the Fuller Theological Seminary main campus in Pasadena, Calif. Evangelical Christians and Mormons.

Baptist film on immigration seeks to get churches talking, helping

Robert Parham, executive director of the Nashville-based Baptist Center for Ethics, doesn't know how to solve the nation's immigration crisis.

Conversion: Most American adults have changed faith

The little red church David Hansen and his wife attended when they moved to Virginia was an obvious choice, at first.

Praying for President Obama: Prayer in politics: Piety or pandering?

Devout Christians who follow the Biblical mandate to pray always about everything see nothing amiss in praying for the leaders of the country — even if they disagree with their politics.

9/11 was devastating for Muslims, too

By hal boyd

Being Mormon in a Mormon moment

PROVO — Richard L. Bushman put the big headphones on his head for an interview with NPR in New York City. His biography of the founder of Mormonism, "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling," had just been published by Knopf and because 2005 was the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth, Bushman was in high demand for interviews with the media.

The power of the gospel: Can black churches survive turbulent times?

SALT LAKE CITY — The ladies in their fancy, wide-brimmed hats and the men in their shiny shoes have taken their seats in the red-carpeted chapel of Calvary Baptist Church.

Editorial: Religious tolerance

Robert F. Kennedy once observed, "Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired." Unfortunately, the appreciation of that diversity is lacking in important and populous parts of the world, which naturally will lead to greater intolerance. Even the United States is not immune.

Faith in the GOP: how fishing for religious votes in Iowa could lose them the general election

Wearing a fine silk tie and a Boy Scouts of America lapel pin on his suite, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, delivered an open invitation to join him in a day of prayer and fasting at Houston's Reliant Stadium on the 6th of August.

Finding faith: When journalists cover religion

A lot has changed in the 17 years since Ari Goldman began teaching aspiring journalists about religion.

Missing faith: Getting religion in the newsroom

Christian voting and Mormon candidates

One of the questions on the table at an online symposium titled (Published: May 25, 2011