Growth of the Nonreligious (Pew Research)

Growth of the Nonreligious (Pew Research, 2 July 2013)

Abstract:

About half of Americans say the growing number of “people who are not religious” is bad for American society. But a similar share say either that this trend is good or that it does not make much difference, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.

Link: Growth of the Nonreligious (Pew Research, 2 July 2013)

Related Links:

• 5 facts about atheists (Pew Research Center, 23 October 2013)
• "Nones" on the Rise: One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation (Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 9 October 2012)

Malaysian court upholds ban on Christian use of 'Allah'

Malaysian court upholds ban on Christian use of 'Allah' (UCA News, 14 October 2013)

Christian newspaper must not use 'Allah', Malaysian court rules (The Guardian, 14 October 2013)

Abstract:

The Malaysian Court of Appeal overturned a lower court decision against a government ban on the use of the term "Allah" by Malaysian Christians.The Court of Appeal judges said the ban did not infringe the rights of minority religions because the use of the name “Allah is not an integral part of the faith and practice of Christianity.”

Links:

• Malaysian court upholds ban on Christian use of 'Allah'
• Christian newspaper must not use 'Allah', Malaysian court rules

A Portrait of Jewish Americans (Pew)

A Portrait of Jewish Americans (Pew Research, 1 October 2013)

Abstract:

American Jews overwhelmingly say they are proud to be Jewish and have a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people, according to a major new survey by the Pew Research Center. But the survey also suggests that Jewish identity is changing in America, where one-in-five Jews (22%) now describe themselves as having no religion. The percentage of U.S. adults who say they are Jewish when asked about their religion has declined by about half since the late 1950s and currently is a little less than 2%. Meanwhile, the number of Americans with direct Jewish ancestry or upbringing who consider themselves Jewish, yet describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or having no particular religion, appears to be rising and is now about 0.5% of the U.S. adult population.

Links:

• A Portrait of Jewish Americans 
• Full Report (PDF) 

Related:

• How many Jews are there in the United States? (Pew Research, 2 October 2013) 
• Eight facts about Orthodox Jews from the Pew Research Survey (Pew Research, 17 October 2013) 
• What happens when Jews intermarry? (Pew Research, 12 November 2013)

The Pope: how the Church will change (La Republica)

The Pope: how the Church will change (La Republica, 1 October 2013): Italian / English

Abstract:

Dialogue between Francis and La Repubblica's founder, Eugenio Scalfari: "Starting from the Second Vatican Council, open to modern culture". The conversation in the Vatican after the Pope's letter to La Repubblica: "Convert you? Proselytism is solemn nonsense. You have to meet people and listen to them."

Su Repubblica il dialogo con Francesco: "Ripartire dal Concilio, aprire alla cultura moderna". Il colloquio in Vaticano dopo la lettera di Bergoglio pubblicata dal nostro giornale: "Convertirla? Il proselitismo è una solenne sciocchezza. Bisogna conoscersi e ascoltarsi". "La Santa Sede è troppo vaticano-centrica. Basta cortigiani"

 Links:

• Original Interview in Italian: Il Papa a Scalfari: così cambierò la Chiesa "Giovani senza lavoro, uno dei mali del mondo"
• English Translation: The pope: how the church will change