by Amy Adamczyk (@AmyAdamczyk1)
Religion and abortion are tightly linked in the American imagination. From courthouse steps to campaign platforms to Sunday sermons, religious beliefs, especially among conservative Christians, have long shaped how Americans think and vote on the issue. But is this connection unique to the United States? Do people in other countries respond to abortion in the same way? And what exactly is it about religion—personal faith, cultural context, or institutional power—that most strongly shapes people’s attitudes?
Toanswerthesequestions,Idrewontwosetsofdataformylatestbook, FetalPositions:UnderstandingCross-NationalPublicOpinionaboutAbortion.First,Ianalyzedsurveyresponsesfromthreewavesofthe WorldValuesSurvey,whichincludesover200,000peoplein88countries,coveringeverymajorworldreligionandrepresentingthevastmajorityoftheglobalpopulation.Then,IconductedacomparativecasestudyofChinaandtheUnitedStates,interviewing40individuals,includingreligiousleaders,medicalprofessionals,socialmovementorganizers,academics,andgovernmentworkers.Whilewealre
