All posts tagged: Pew Research

Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad

Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad

(RNS) — As the U.S. continues to debate the fusion of faith and politics, a sweeping new survey reports that most American adults have a positive view of religion’s role in public life but believe its influence is waning. The development appears to unsettle at least half of the country, with growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture. That’s according to a new survey unveiled on Friday (March 14) by Pew Research, which was conducted in February and seeks to tease out attitudes regarding the influence of religion on American society. “We see signs of sort of a growing disconnect between people’s own religious beliefs and their perceptions about the broader culture,” Greg Smith, associate director of research at Pew Research Center, told Religion News Service in an interview. He pointed to findings such as 80% of U.S. adults saying religion’s role in American life is shrinking — as high as it’s ever been in Pew surveys — and 49% of U.S. adults say …

Dad Culture Has Nothing To Do With Parenting

Dad Culture Has Nothing To Do With Parenting

Americans spend a fair amount of time describing things as “dad.” “Dad rock” is guitar-driven music, typically from the time of the Nixon or Ford administration, with bonus points for extended drum solos or albums that feature double-gatefold illustrations of imaginary planets. “Dadcore” is the art of clothing yourself without wasting any energy thinking about fashion. “Dad friends” are kindly and endearing, but not necessarily the most fun at parties. A “dad bod” is desirable but poised on the brink of middle-age sprawl. “Dad energy” involves being goofy and acting like a 40-something guy, whether or not you actually are a 40-something guy. “Dad jokes” are mostly terrible puns. These phrases all paint a picture of someone who is uncool, modestly embarrassing, and blissfully unconcerned with others’ judgments. But they have something else in common: They bear little relationship to the actual work of raising children. The mom descriptor typically gestures at being harried (classic “mom brain”) or nurturing (like a “mom friend”). Meanwhile, dad as an adjective hints at someone shorn of all responsibilities. …

The Sunni Shia Divide

The Sunni Shia Divide

Sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of Muslim countries and is threatening to fracture Iraq and Syria. Tensions between Sunnis and Shias, exploited by regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, could reshape the future Middle East.