{"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
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

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":61954,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/iranian-underground-church-flourishes-despite-persecution-religious-news-roundup\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":0},"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":52999,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/young-men-more-religious-than-young-women-for-first-time-in-25-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":1},"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":[]},{"id":36013,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/southeast-leads-nation-in-religious-faith-but-numbers-declining\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":2},"title":"Southeast Leads Nation in Religious Faith, But Numbers Declining","author":"Admin","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"New research shows the Southeastern United States maintains the highest rate of religious affiliation nationwide at 76%. However, the data also reveals faith participation in the South has dropped significantly over the past two decades.","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\/03\/news-1773400930821.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\/03\/news-1773400930821.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773400930821.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773400930821.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773400930821.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57981,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/study-shows-catholics-switching-to-protestant-churches-worldwide\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":3},"title":"Study Shows Catholics Switching to Protestant Churches Worldwide","author":"Admin","date":"April 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A new Pew Research Center study reveals global trends in religious affiliation changes. The research shows Catholic membership declining while Protestant denominations experience growth through religious switching.","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-1777291793953.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\/04\/news-1777291793953.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777291793953.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777291793953.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1777291793953.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61948,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/new-study-maps-global-religious-divide-between-catholic-and-protestant-faith\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":4},"title":"New Study Maps Global Religious Divide Between Catholic and Protestant Faith","author":"Admin","date":"May 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Research reveals how Catholic and Protestant Christianity are distributed across different continents. The study shows Latin America remains predominantly Catholic while Africa leans Protestant, and overall trends indicate people leaving Catholic churches for Protestant denominations.","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-1777978279012.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-1777978279012.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978279012.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978279012.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777978279012.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61414,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/study-regular-church-attendance-may-boost-mental-health-but-experts-say-its-complex\/","url_meta":{"origin":64314,"position":5},"title":"Study: Regular Church Attendance May Boost Mental Health, But Experts Say It’s Complex","author":"Admin","date":"May 4, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A new study from Brigham Young University suggests weekly religious service attendance is linked to better mental health outcomes including lower suicide risk and reduced substance abuse. However, mental health experts emphasize that faith can also cause harm, and nonreligious community involvement can provide similar benefits.","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-1777894743173.jpg?fit=1000%2C679&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777894743173.jpg?fit=1000%2C679&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777894743173.jpg?fit=1000%2C679&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/news-1777894743173.jpg?fit=1000%2C679&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}]}}