One of the most debated issues facing America today is the role that faith and religion should play in society. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life seeks to promote a deeper understanding of the issues raised by the intersection of religion and public affairs.
 
The forum acts as a research organization, a clearinghouse for gathering and sharing information and a “town hall,” providing a neutral venue for discussion. Launched in 2001, the forum delivers timely, impartial research to political leaders, journalists, scholars and public interest groups.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has four areas of research:

• Religion and politics—the influence of religion and religious organizations on political behavior, including voting and campaigns.
• Religion and the law—church-state controversies such as recent Supreme Court battles over the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance and school vouchers.
• Religion and domestic policy—public policy debates on issues such as abortion, gay marriage, stem-cell research and faith-based initiatives.
• Religion and world affairs—the role religion plays in the international arena, with a focus on U.S. foreign policy.

As a non-advocacy organization, the forum does not take positions on issues. It is a project of the Pew Research Center, a Pew subsidiary and a nonpartisan “fact tank” based in Washington, D.C., that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world.

For more information, visit the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Web site.