{"id":64314,"date":"2026-05-09T19:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T23:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/global-religious-trends-irans-christian-growth-lgbt-faith-data-released\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T19:09:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T23:09:00","slug":"global-religious-trends-irans-christian-growth-lgbt-faith-data-released","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/global-religious-trends-irans-christian-growth-lgbt-faith-data-released\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Religious Trends: Iran’s Christian Growth, LGBT Faith Data Released"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Recent polling data from the Pew Research Center shows that voters across Central and South America strongly favor presidential candidates who will champion their religious values as multiple nations prepare for elections this year. Approximately two-thirds of respondents in these countries expressed desire for leaders who would protect their faith traditions, with similar numbers believing biblical principles should guide national legislation. Remarkably, even half of those who don’t practice religion agreed with this sentiment. Separate research suggests religious faith remains more influential in Latin America compared to declining trends elsewhere globally.<\/p>

The Public Religion Research Institute has published new findings about America’s LGBT community, showing that individuals identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender now represent roughly ten percent of the nation’s population. This marks the highest recorded percentage since researchers began tracking this demographic. Young adults between 18 and 29 years old show the greatest likelihood of identifying as LGBT. The survey reveals this population tends to support Democratic candidates and hold liberal political views, while 51 percent report having no religious affiliation.<\/p>

International Christian Concern reports remarkable expansion of Iran’s underground Christian movement, with current believer numbers exceeding those before the 1979 Islamic Revolution that triggered severe religious persecution. The organization states: “Some estimates point to a million or more Iranian converts to Christianity. These converts come from all sectors of society \u2014 from street vendors and taxi drivers to intellectuals, artists, and public servants.” House church networks have emerged throughout Iran, spanning major urban centers to remote rural communities.<\/p>

Australia launched a comprehensive investigation into antisemitism this week, with the Royal Commission hearing initial testimony from Jewish citizens describing increasing hatred that has made them feel unsafe and exposed. The inquiry was established following a December shooting at a Bondi Beach Hanukkah gathering that claimed 15 lives when two gunmen attacked the celebration. The Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion, representing Australia’s most serious form of investigation, will conduct hearings for two weeks examining how antisemitism manifests within Australian institutions and society, with additional sessions planned throughout the year before releasing final recommendations.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New research reveals significant religious trends worldwide, including explosive growth of Christianity in Iran despite persecution and data showing half of America’s LGBT population has no religious affiliation. Meanwhile, Latin American voters increasingly want faith-based leadership in upcoming elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64313,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[835],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religious"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1778368139753.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-gJk","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":90972,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/supreme-court-lgbt-hotline-pride-poll-scout-deal-religion-culture-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":0},"title":"Supreme Court, LGBT Hotline, Pride Poll & Scout Deal: Religion & Culture News","author":"Admin","date":"July 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Supreme Court declined to let a Rastafarian inmate sue prison officials over a forced haircut, marking an unusual setback for religious liberty claims. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is working to restore an LGBT-specific option on the 988 crisis hotline after Congress earmarked $33 million for the effort. A new\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783189894072.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783189894072.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783189894072.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783189894072.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783189894072.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":88240,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/supreme-court-lgbt-hotline-and-pride-month-poll-religion-headlines\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":1},"title":"Supreme Court, LGBT Hotline, and Pride Month Poll: Religion Headlines","author":"Admin","date":"June 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Supreme Court declined to let a Rastafarian inmate sue prison officials over a forced haircut, marking a rare setback for religious freedom advocates. The Trump administration is working to restore a specialized crisis hotline option for LGBT youth after Congress set aside $33 million for the effort. A new\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782734516698.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782734516698.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782734516698.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782734516698.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1782734516698.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61954,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/iranian-underground-church-flourishes-despite-persecution-religious-news-roundup\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":2},"title":"Iranian Underground Church Flourishes Despite Persecution, Religious News Roundup","author":"Admin","date":"May 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A new report shows Iran's Christian population has surged past pre-1979 Revolution levels despite severe persecution. The National Day of Prayer is scheduled for Thursday, May 7th with events nationwide.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978283219.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978283219.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978283219.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978283219.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978283219.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":81406,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/religion-headlines-lgbt-backlash-americas-faith-history-pope-leo-christian-persecution\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":3},"title":"Religion Headlines: LGBT Backlash, America’s Faith History, Pope Leo & Christian Persecution","author":"Admin","date":"June 14, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A roundup of major religious news stories covers growing pushback against LGBT policies, the deep roots of religious diversity in America, Pope Leo's meeting with abuse survivors in Spain, and a violent attack on Christians in India. At least nine states have introduced resolutions seeking to reverse legal recognition of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781461890634.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781461890634.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781461890634.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781461890634.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-1781461890634.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":92742,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/four-religion-headlines-abortion-funding-lgbt-trends-china-persecution-ancient-discovery\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":4},"title":"Four Religion Headlines: Abortion Funding, LGBT Trends, China Persecution, Ancient Discovery","author":"Admin","date":"July 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A roundup of major religion-related news stories making headlines this week. Topics range from the restoration of Planned Parenthood's Medicaid billing to a newly discovered ancient Christian city in Egypt. Also in focus: rising LGBT identification among young women and Christian persecution in China.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783519278114.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783519278114.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783519278114.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783519278114.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/news-1783519278114.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52999,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/young-men-more-religious-than-young-women-for-first-time-in-25-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":5},"title":"Young Men More Religious Than Young Women for First Time in 25 Years","author":"Admin","date":"April 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A recent Gallup survey reveals that 42% of men aged 18-29 consider religion very important in their lives, surpassing young women for the first time since polling began. The shift represents a dramatic change from decades past when young women were significantly more religious than their male counterparts.","rel":"","context":"In "Religious"","block_context":{"text":"Religious","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/religious\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776339539767.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776339539767.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776339539767.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776339539767.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64314"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64314\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}