Religion & World Affairs
Trends suggest that religion's public impact has increased worldwide, with major policy and security implications for the U.S. and the world. Religion exerts considerable influence on democratic transitions, and religious political parties and movements have garnered significant popular support in a variety of democracies. At the same time, religious grievances have been important factors in civil wars, interstate conflicts and international terrorism. Changes in global religious demography, such as the rapid growth of Christianity in the global South and increased Muslim immigration to Western nations, also continue to shape public attitudes and government policies.
American perspectives on these topics are complex. According to a July 2005 poll by the Pew Forum, three-quarters of Americans say that religion has a great deal (40%) or a fair amount (35%) to do with most wars and conflicts in the world, which is similar to the 79% who expressed these views in 2003. Americans' opinions about recent events in the Middle East are also shaped by religion. A July 2006 poll by the Pew Forum indicated that many more Americans say they sympathize more with Israel (44%) than with Palestinians (9%). Support for Israel is even stronger among those who see religious implications in the state of Israel. A large majority (63%) of those who believe Israel was given by God to the Jewish people say they sympathize more with Israel, as do a majority (60%) of those who see Israel as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
The Pew Forum offers a variety of resources that contribute to a deeper public understanding of religion's influence on U.S. foreign policy, global political change and global security. These resources include reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, event transcripts and the latest news.
Resource Pages
Religion in China
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Pentecostalism
Secularism in France
Pope Benedict XVI
Turkish Accession to EU
Muslims in Europe
Pew Forum Resources on Religion & World Affairs
TranscriptsGlobal Restrictions on Religion America and Islam After Bush Ten Years of Promoting Religious Freedom Through U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Religious Landscape Survey Report II The Plight of Iraq's Religious Minorities |
PublicationsBriefing on U.S. International Religious Freedom Policy: The Outlook for 2010 Global Restrictions on Religion Modest Rise in Concern About Islamic Extremism Mapping the Global Muslim Population |
Religion NewsWhat Johnny needs to learn about Islam Argentina halts 1st Latin American gay marriage Dubai crisis tests laws of Islamic financing Other Resources |