The Association of Religion Data Archives
@religiondata.bsky.social
https://www.thearda.com/
The ARDA includes a variety of tools designed to foster better research, teaching, and understanding of religion data. Always free to access. Nonpartisan/nonsectarian.
The ARDA includes a variety of tools designed to foster better research, teaching, and understanding of religion data. Always free to access. Nonpartisan/nonsectarian.
Pinned
The Association of Religion Data Archives (The ARDA) was founded in 1997 to democratize access to the best data on religion. The ARDA includes a variety of free tools and modules to foster better research, teaching, and understanding of religion data.
Explore some of our resources in this thread.
Explore some of our resources in this thread.
Cultural Jews and Cultural Catholics?
The latest #AheadOfTheTrend column looks at data comparing religion as faith tradition versus cultural identity. In this piece, @ryanburge.bsky.social analyzes survey data from @pewresearch.org on cultural Jews and Catholics.
The latest #AheadOfTheTrend column looks at data comparing religion as faith tradition versus cultural identity. In this piece, @ryanburge.bsky.social analyzes survey data from @pewresearch.org on cultural Jews and Catholics.
Cultural Jews and Cultural Catholics?
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Cultural Jews and Cultural Catholics? ; Date: 2026-02-05
www.thearda.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Cultural Jews and Cultural Catholics?
The latest #AheadOfTheTrend column looks at data comparing religion as faith tradition versus cultural identity. In this piece, @ryanburge.bsky.social analyzes survey data from @pewresearch.org on cultural Jews and Catholics.
The latest #AheadOfTheTrend column looks at data comparing religion as faith tradition versus cultural identity. In this piece, @ryanburge.bsky.social analyzes survey data from @pewresearch.org on cultural Jews and Catholics.
Interactively explore major events, issues, and people relating to racial minorities in the history of American religion. ARDA’s "Race/Ethnicity and Religion Timeline" places a wealth of information—including text, pictures, and graphs—within historical context.
Find the free resource below.
Find the free resource below.
Interactive Display | Timelines | US Religion
Interactive Historical Timelines of US Religion With Details On People, Events and Movements
www.thearda.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Interactively explore major events, issues, and people relating to racial minorities in the history of American religion. ARDA’s "Race/Ethnicity and Religion Timeline" places a wealth of information—including text, pictures, and graphs—within historical context.
Find the free resource below.
Find the free resource below.
Americans differ greatly in the degree to which they share their religious faith. This Jr./Sr. High learning module will explore how Americans share their faith with others and look at some of the general differences by race, gender, and religious tradition.
Explore the free module on the ARDA!
Explore the free module on the ARDA!
Spreading the Word: How Americans Share Their Faith
www.thearda.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Americans differ greatly in the degree to which they share their religious faith. This Jr./Sr. High learning module will explore how Americans share their faith with others and look at some of the general differences by race, gender, and religious tradition.
Explore the free module on the ARDA!
Explore the free module on the ARDA!
Check out the data visualizations from the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is?
Head to the ARDA site for the full analysis and insights from the @pewresearch.org dataset. (Link in the comments!)
Head to the ARDA site for the full analysis and insights from the @pewresearch.org dataset. (Link in the comments!)
January 29, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Check out the data visualizations from the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is?
Head to the ARDA site for the full analysis and insights from the @pewresearch.org dataset. (Link in the comments!)
Head to the ARDA site for the full analysis and insights from the @pewresearch.org dataset. (Link in the comments!)
Lilly Endowment is inviting proposals for its new Exploring Christian Practices Initiative. This opportunity aims to build and enhance programs that help individuals address their spiritual interests, find and build community with others, and nourish their religious lives.
Find out more below!
Find out more below!
Exploring Christian Practices Initiative - Lilly Endowment
This new initiative aims to increase access to settings that help individuals explore and engage in Christian practices.
lillyendowment.org
January 28, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Lilly Endowment is inviting proposals for its new Exploring Christian Practices Initiative. This opportunity aims to build and enhance programs that help individuals address their spiritual interests, find and build community with others, and nourish their religious lives.
Find out more below!
Find out more below!
Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is?
In the latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if data shows whether workers prefer to have a boss of the same gender as themselves. Do the responses reflect views that are frequently shaped, at least in part, by religious teachings?
In the latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if data shows whether workers prefer to have a boss of the same gender as themselves. Do the responses reflect views that are frequently shaped, at least in part, by religious teachings?
Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is?
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is? ; Date: 2026-01-22
www.thearda.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Do Americans Care Who Their Boss Is?
In the latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if data shows whether workers prefer to have a boss of the same gender as themselves. Do the responses reflect views that are frequently shaped, at least in part, by religious teachings?
In the latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if data shows whether workers prefer to have a boss of the same gender as themselves. Do the responses reflect views that are frequently shaped, at least in part, by religious teachings?
Reposted by The Association of Religion Data Archives
Join us tomorrow (1/22) for Religion & Podcasts As Public Engagement, the first #ReligionAnd of 2026! We will be hosting the conversation at a special time (12 p.m. Eastern) via Zoom with panelists who host podcasts on American religion.
Register today at raac.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/rel....
Register today at raac.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/rel....
January 21, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Join us tomorrow (1/22) for Religion & Podcasts As Public Engagement, the first #ReligionAnd of 2026! We will be hosting the conversation at a special time (12 p.m. Eastern) via Zoom with panelists who host podcasts on American religion.
Register today at raac.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/rel....
Register today at raac.indianapolis.iu.edu/programs/rel....
Does religion prevent individuals from committing crimes? How does religion shape an individual’s perception of crime and deviance? These are the type of questions sociologists ask and that this college-level learning module will explore.
Download the free Learning Module on the ARDA.
Download the free Learning Module on the ARDA.
Crime and Religion
www.thearda.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Does religion prevent individuals from committing crimes? How does religion shape an individual’s perception of crime and deviance? These are the type of questions sociologists ask and that this college-level learning module will explore.
Download the free Learning Module on the ARDA.
Download the free Learning Module on the ARDA.
As a Research Fellow for @kettering.org, ARDA Executive Co-Director @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social wrote a column expressing how it is vital to know who is in our communities and what their needs might be. He highlights the Community Profile Builder as a resource to help inform community leaders.
Leveraging Data Resources for Civic Organizing
The scale of the challenges facing Americans committed to a pluralistic, democratic society are national and global. However, responding to attacks on democracy does not need to be limited to a national or global scale. Researchers and movement leaders remind us that citizens and organizations can engage in some of the most influential work in defense of democracy at local and community levels.
kettering.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:14 PM
As a Research Fellow for @kettering.org, ARDA Executive Co-Director @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social wrote a column expressing how it is vital to know who is in our communities and what their needs might be. He highlights the Community Profile Builder as a resource to help inform community leaders.
Have you explored the ARDA's free Community Profile Builder resource? This tool assists church, community, and scholarly leaders in accessing online demographic and religious information about communities across the United States.
Explore the CPB today on the ARDA. (Link in the comments!)
Explore the CPB today on the ARDA. (Link in the comments!)
January 15, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Have you explored the ARDA's free Community Profile Builder resource? This tool assists church, community, and scholarly leaders in accessing online demographic and religious information about communities across the United States.
Explore the CPB today on the ARDA. (Link in the comments!)
Explore the CPB today on the ARDA. (Link in the comments!)
Are Never Attenders More Secular Today?
The latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend utilizes data from the 2024 General Social Survey to better understand whether those who never attend services today are further removed from other measures of religiosity than in the past.
The latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend utilizes data from the 2024 General Social Survey to better understand whether those who never attend services today are further removed from other measures of religiosity than in the past.
Are Never Attenders More Secular Today?
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Are Never Attenders More Secular Today? ; Date: 2026-01-08
www.thearda.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Are Never Attenders More Secular Today?
The latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend utilizes data from the 2024 General Social Survey to better understand whether those who never attend services today are further removed from other measures of religiosity than in the past.
The latest installment of #AheadOfTheTrend utilizes data from the 2024 General Social Survey to better understand whether those who never attend services today are further removed from other measures of religiosity than in the past.
Social researchers must be careful to make sure that the measures they use are valid. That is, do the questions measure what we think they measure? This free learning module will use data from the General Social Survey 2024 and 2014 to explore the differences between attitudes and behaviors.
Attitudes versus Behaviors: Religion and Helping Others
www.thearda.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Social researchers must be careful to make sure that the measures they use are valid. That is, do the questions measure what we think they measure? This free learning module will use data from the General Social Survey 2024 and 2014 to explore the differences between attitudes and behaviors.
Is Christmas a Religious Holiday? In this special holiday edition of #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social explores data from @prri.org on who celebrates Christmas. It may not surprise you that 87% of non-religious folks said they did.
Read the full article here and have a happy holiday!
Read the full article here and have a happy holiday!
Is Christmas a Religious Holiday?
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Is Christmas a Religious Holiday? ; Date: 2025-12-25
thearda.com
December 25, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Is Christmas a Religious Holiday? In this special holiday edition of #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social explores data from @prri.org on who celebrates Christmas. It may not surprise you that 87% of non-religious folks said they did.
Read the full article here and have a happy holiday!
Read the full article here and have a happy holiday!
This year, David Briggs received Religion News Association’s William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award. David launched the Ahead of the Trend column in 2009 and contributed more than 200 entries.
Read our full #AheadOfTheTrend article on David's award and career at www.thearda.com/categories/a....
Read our full #AheadOfTheTrend article on David's award and career at www.thearda.com/categories/a....
Always Ahead of the Trend: David Briggs Maintained Accuracy and Fairness While Reporting on Religion
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Always Ahead of the Trend: David Briggs Maintained Accuracy and Fairness While Reporting on Religion ; Date: 2025-12-17
www.thearda.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This year, David Briggs received Religion News Association’s William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award. David launched the Ahead of the Trend column in 2009 and contributed more than 200 entries.
Read our full #AheadOfTheTrend article on David's award and career at www.thearda.com/categories/a....
Read our full #AheadOfTheTrend article on David's award and career at www.thearda.com/categories/a....
Did you know the ARDA offers in-depth guides that focus on a specific aspect of a community, like housing, education, or income? These guides offer more detailed directions for exploring all of the data Community Profile Builder's data and can be downloaded for free on our website.
Community Profile Builder | US Religion
The Community Profile Builder provides information about communities, including locations of churches in a selected area and social, economic and religious info
www.thearda.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Did you know the ARDA offers in-depth guides that focus on a specific aspect of a community, like housing, education, or income? These guides offer more detailed directions for exploring all of the data Community Profile Builder's data and can be downloaded for free on our website.
There are a lot of insights from the latest article of #AheadOfTheTrend that show what the 2024 General Social Survey tells us about the state of American Religion. View the data visualizations and read the full article now on the ARDA.
December 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
There are a lot of insights from the latest article of #AheadOfTheTrend that show what the 2024 General Social Survey tells us about the state of American Religion. View the data visualizations and read the full article now on the ARDA.
Identifying Patterns in Data
In this college-level learning module from the ARDA, students will identify patterns in data from various years of the General Social Survey. The module helps students analyze data on variables such as age, religion, and sex.
Download the free module below.
In this college-level learning module from the ARDA, students will identify patterns in data from various years of the General Social Survey. The module helps students analyze data on variables such as age, religion, and sex.
Download the free module below.
Identifying Patterns in Data
www.thearda.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Identifying Patterns in Data
In this college-level learning module from the ARDA, students will identify patterns in data from various years of the General Social Survey. The module helps students analyze data on variables such as age, religion, and sex.
Download the free module below.
In this college-level learning module from the ARDA, students will identify patterns in data from various years of the General Social Survey. The module helps students analyze data on variables such as age, religion, and sex.
Download the free module below.
The Slow Grind of Change: What the 2024 GSS Tells Us About American Religion
The newest #AheadOfTheTrend examines the changes in the religious composition of the General Social Survey before the pandemic and then in the 2024 data.
Read the analysis and explore the 2024 GSS data for free!
The newest #AheadOfTheTrend examines the changes in the religious composition of the General Social Survey before the pandemic and then in the 2024 data.
Read the analysis and explore the 2024 GSS data for free!
The Slow Grind of Change: What the 2024 GSS Tells Us About American Religion
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: The Slow Grind of Change: What the 2024 GSS Tells Us About American Religion ; Date: 2025-12-04
www.thearda.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Slow Grind of Change: What the 2024 GSS Tells Us About American Religion
The newest #AheadOfTheTrend examines the changes in the religious composition of the General Social Survey before the pandemic and then in the 2024 data.
Read the analysis and explore the 2024 GSS data for free!
The newest #AheadOfTheTrend examines the changes in the religious composition of the General Social Survey before the pandemic and then in the 2024 data.
Read the analysis and explore the 2024 GSS data for free!
Each issue of #AheadOfTheTrend includes data visualizations to engage with survey responses, demographic information, measures of religiosity, and more.
View the latest visualizations for "How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death" and read the full analysis on the ARDA's website (link in comments).
View the latest visualizations for "How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death" and read the full analysis on the ARDA's website (link in comments).
December 3, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Each issue of #AheadOfTheTrend includes data visualizations to engage with survey responses, demographic information, measures of religiosity, and more.
View the latest visualizations for "How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death" and read the full analysis on the ARDA's website (link in comments).
View the latest visualizations for "How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death" and read the full analysis on the ARDA's website (link in comments).
Many of the ARDA's learning modules have been updated to include the latest data from the 2024 General Social Survey. These modules are designed to be incorporated into class syllabi or used for individual skill development.
Explore and download the modules at www.thearda.com/teaching/col....
Explore and download the modules at www.thearda.com/teaching/col....
December 1, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Many of the ARDA's learning modules have been updated to include the latest data from the 2024 General Social Survey. These modules are designed to be incorporated into class syllabi or used for individual skill development.
Explore and download the modules at www.thearda.com/teaching/col....
Explore and download the modules at www.thearda.com/teaching/col....
#AheadOfTheTrend: Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
The Chapman University Survey of American Fears repeatedly asks: How afraid are you of dying? One thing that immediately jumps out is that a significant portion of Americans don’t fear death at all.
The Chapman University Survey of American Fears repeatedly asks: How afraid are you of dying? One thing that immediately jumps out is that a significant portion of Americans don’t fear death at all.
Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death ; Date: 2025-11-20
www.thearda.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
#AheadOfTheTrend: Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
The Chapman University Survey of American Fears repeatedly asks: How afraid are you of dying? One thing that immediately jumps out is that a significant portion of Americans don’t fear death at all.
The Chapman University Survey of American Fears repeatedly asks: How afraid are you of dying? One thing that immediately jumps out is that a significant portion of Americans don’t fear death at all.
The ARDA is at @aarweb.bsky.social! Come visit our team at Booth 708 to learn about free research and teaching resources utilizing the best religion data. #aarsbl25
November 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The ARDA is at @aarweb.bsky.social! Come visit our team at Booth 708 to learn about free research and teaching resources utilizing the best religion data. #aarsbl25
Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
Have modern Americans come to grips with the idea that they’re going to die someday? In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social looks at responses to the question, "How afraid are you of dying?"
Have modern Americans come to grips with the idea that they’re going to die someday? In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social looks at responses to the question, "How afraid are you of dying?"
Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death ; Date: 2025-11-20
www.thearda.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Fire Insurance for the Afterlife? How Religion Shapes the Fear of Death
Have modern Americans come to grips with the idea that they’re going to die someday? In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social looks at responses to the question, "How afraid are you of dying?"
Have modern Americans come to grips with the idea that they’re going to die someday? In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, @ryanburge.bsky.social looks at responses to the question, "How afraid are you of dying?"
When using the 2024 General Social Survey data, the syntax files on the ARDA offer alternative methods for classifying religious groups into a few religious traditions. There are additional syntax and documentation files that offer guidance for harmonizing religion and demographic survey measures.
Syntax Repository | Research
Religious classification syntax files offer alternative methods for classifying hundreds of religious groups into a few religious traditions
www.thearda.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:19 PM
When using the 2024 General Social Survey data, the syntax files on the ARDA offer alternative methods for classifying religious groups into a few religious traditions. There are additional syntax and documentation files that offer guidance for harmonizing religion and demographic survey measures.
Which Religious Groups Are Most Likely to Get Tattoos?
In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if attitudes around tattoos (and the act of getting them) has changed significantly over the past 20 years. When looking at age and religious affiliation, who is most positive toward tattoos?
In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if attitudes around tattoos (and the act of getting them) has changed significantly over the past 20 years. When looking at age and religious affiliation, who is most positive toward tattoos?
Which Religious Groups Are Most—and Least—Likely to Get Tattoos?
Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Which Religious Groups Are Most—and Least—Likely to Get Tattoos? ; Date: 2025-11-07
www.thearda.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Which Religious Groups Are Most Likely to Get Tattoos?
In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if attitudes around tattoos (and the act of getting them) has changed significantly over the past 20 years. When looking at age and religious affiliation, who is most positive toward tattoos?
In the latest #AheadOfTheTrend, we look to see if attitudes around tattoos (and the act of getting them) has changed significantly over the past 20 years. When looking at age and religious affiliation, who is most positive toward tattoos?