Christians are a growing share of U.S. refugee arrivals

In first months of Trump presidency, Christians account for growing share of U.S. refugee arrivals More Christian than Muslim refugees have been admitted to the United States in the first months of the Trump administration, reversing a trend that had seen Muslims outnumber Christians in the final fiscal year under President Barack Obama, a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. State Department refugee data has found.

Sharp partisan divisions in views of national institutions Republicans and Democrats offer starkly different assessments of the impact of several of the nation’s leading institutions – including churches and religious organizations. For example, liberal Democrats are about as likely to say the impact of churches and religious organizations is negative as they are to say it is positive, while three-quarters of conservative Republicans say churches and religious organizations have a positive impact.

On abortion, persistent divides between – and within – the two parties Abortion has long been a contentious issue in American politics and one that splits deeply along partisan, ideological and religious lines. The latest Pew Research Center political survey finds that a 57% majority of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 40% think it should be illegal in all or most cases. Related: Interactive showing trends in public opinion on abortion

Where Europe stands on gay marriage and civil unions More than 16 years after the Netherlands became the world’s first country to allow same-sex marriage, neighboring Germany has legalized the practice. Related: Gay marriage around the world

MEDIA MENTIONS

Republicans, Democrats divided on impact of religion July 10 - Religion News Service

IN THE NEWS

India Supreme Court suspends cattle slaughter ban July 11 - BBC News

U.S. soldier arrested, accused of trying to provide material support to ISIS July 11 - NPR

Iraqi prime minister arrives in Mosul to declare victory over ISIS July 9 - The New York Times *

Hobby Lobby’s $3 million smuggling case casts a cloud over the Museum of the Bible July 6 - The Washington Post *

After backing Trump, Christians who fled Iraq fall into his dragnet July 4 - The New York Times *

‘Pope’s hospital’ put children at risk as it chased profits July 3 - The Associated Press

Dispute over British baby’s fate draws in pope and U.S. president July 3 - The New York Times *

When a Muslim doctor arrived in a rural Midwestern town, ‘it felt right.’ But that feeling began to change after the election of Donald Trump July 1 - The Washington Post *

Trump promised to destroy the Johnson Amendment. Congress is targeting it now June 30 - The Washington Post *

Pope’s close aide charged, bringing sex abuse scandal to Vatican June 28 - Reuters