Pew Forum Weekly Update

Resource Page: Religion and the Presidency
On Tuesday, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Resources on religion and the presidency from the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life include:

A religious profile of Barack Obama

Survey data showing that an overwhelming majority of the public continues to say that it is important that a president have strong religious beliefs

A conversation with John DiIulio about how faith-based initiatives might change under an Obama administration.

Event transcripts and more

Go to the resource page »c

Graphic: The Religious Affiliations of U.S. Presidents
Nearly half the nation's presidents have been affiliated with the Episcopal or Presbyterian churches. John F. Kennedy remains the only Catholic to have held the nation's highest office. Only three U.S. presidents - Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson - have been unaffiliated with a specific religious tradition. View the graphic »

Graphic: Abortion Views by Religious Affiliation
Thursday, Jan. 22 marks the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark abortion ruling, Roe v. Wade (1973). The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, conducted in 2007 by the Pew Forum, finds that most religious traditions in the U.S. come down firmly on one side or the other in the debate over abortion. View the graphic »

Resource Page: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Israel's ongoing Gaza offensive has been the subject of intense debate in the U.S. and around the world. Resources on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict include:

A new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press showing how views on the conflict differ by religious affiliation and other factors

A Q&A with an academic who was once the chief representative for the Palestine Liberation Organization

An analysis of four decades of U.S. public support for Israel

Go to the resource page »

Samuel Huntington, 1927-2008
Samuel Huntington, one of the most influential political scientists of his generation, died on Dec. 24. On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, the Pew Forum asked Huntington to revisit the ideas advanced in one of his most controversial and influential books, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order.

Read the Q&A »

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Jan. 14 - The Christian Science Monitor
Most U.S. Christians Define Own Theology
A recent Pew Forum survey shows that a large number of Americans believe there are many paths to salvation.

Jan. 14 - The Washington Post
A Veteran of the Civil Rights Battles Preaches About the Symbolism of the Nation's 44th President

Jan. 14 - The Wall Street Journal
In Cuba, a Revival in Judaism Leads Some to Israel

Jan. 14 - Religion News Service
In 'the Almighty,' Bush Sees a Providential God

Jan. 13 - The Denver Post
The Pulpit and the Presidency

Jan. 13 - Religion News Service
Anti-Abortion Forces Target Planned Parenthood

Jan. 13 - Los Angeles Times
Vatican Suggests Excommunicating Mexican Drug Traffickers

Jan. 12 - Religion News Service
Bush Legacy To Be Shaped by Faith-Based Programs

Jan. 12 - Religion News Service
Gay Bishop, Woman Added to Obama's Inaugural Prayers

Jan. 10 - Reuters
Disgraced Pastor Haggard Says His Faith Now Stronger

Jan. 8 - The Economist
The Hundred Years' War in Palestine

Read more Religion News »