The Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA)

06/18/2026

The Black Church Burning Project exists to identify and document every Black church and congregation that was burned, bombed, or otherwise attacked during the Civil Rights era and to bring these forgotten stories forward for scholars, communities, and the public.

If you know of a congregation that experienced a burning, bombing, or attempted attack during the Civil Rights Era, please submit a case for the researchers.

Learn more on the project website:

A digital humanities archive documenting the history of attacks on Black churches across the United States.

06/16/2026

"Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you can’t be too careful in dealing with people?"

In the latest installment of , we analyze data from the General Social Survey showing Gen Z will be the least trusting generation in modern American history.

Read the full column at https://www.thearda.com/categories/ahead-of-the-trend/gen-z-doesnt-trust-anyone.

Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Gen Z Doesn't Trust Anyone ; Date: 2026-06-11

06/12/2026

Learning Module Spotlight: Religious Views on Homosexuality

In June, there is increased attention on the LGBTQ+ community. What does data show on the relationship between religion and views on homosexuality? This free college-level learning module guides users in exploring data from the General Social Survey on attitudes around sexual orientation.

Download the module at the link below.

For many years now, the LGBTQ+ community has been increasingly discussed in public forums, both at the national and local level. It is often difficult to ignore the role religion has in shaping many individuals’ viewpoints on this topic. This module will explore national survey data to explore the...

06/08/2026

In addition to our collection of college-level learning modules, the ARDA also contains introductory data literacy assignments for middle and high school students. These short exercises help build research skills and religion knowledge using data from our archive.

Explore our 40 high school modules:

Build High School Level Research Skills and Religion Knowledge With Short Exercises that Interactively Explore the Best Data and Information Sources on Religion

06/05/2026

The ARDA kicked off the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture's 9th Biennial Conference on Religion and American Culture with a workshop highlighting various resources available on the site for better research, teaching, and understanding of religion research.

06/01/2026

New datasets are now available for free on the ARDA! This month, we've added data from PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), Pew Research Center, the Censuses of Religious Bodies, and the Fund for Religious Liberty.

Explore all of these datasets and more at https://www.thearda.com/data-archive/browse-newest-additions.

05/28/2026

"Data paints a pretty clear picture: religious folks—however you measure the concept are less likely to report being 'not too happy.'

"Of course, measuring happiness is difficult. Maybe religious people are just conditioned to put on a happy face in ways that non-religious people aren’t. If your tradition teaches you that suffering has meaning, that gratitude is a virtue, and that contentment is next to godliness, you may simply be primed to report greater happiness, regardless of how your life actually feels from the inside."

Read more from the latest column in the pinned comment.

05/26/2026

It is a common assumption that older people are more religious than young people. However, there are multiple ways to measure someone’s religiosity, and individuals can be more religious in one way compared to another. This free learning module explores the relationship between age and different forms of religiosity.

Download the full module at the link below.

It is a common assumption that older people are more religious than young people. However, there are multiple ways to measure someone’s religiosity and individuals can be more religious in one way compared to another. This learning module will explore the relationship between age and different for...

05/21/2026

Does Religion Make You Happier? Yes, But So Does Money

In the latest installment of , Ryan Burge examines the best long-term measure we have of self-described happiness: data from NORC at the University of Chicago's General Social Survey. How does happiness vary by factors such as religious affiliation, political ideology, and generation?

Read the full column at the link below.

Ahead of the Trend Article - Title: Does Religion Make You Happier? Yes, But So Does Money ; Date: 2026-05-21

05/19/2026

There is widespread concern among denominational leaders that today’s clergy are increasingly at risk of “dropping out” of congregational ministry due to high levels of stress, congregational conflict, and burnout. Yet, few national studies have examined the state of clergy commitment and work satisfaction in the United States. This college-level learning module uses quantitative data hosted on the ARDA to explore the work satisfaction and vocational commitment of U.S. congregational leaders.

Download the free module at https://www.thearda.com/categories/teaching-tools/learning-modules/college-modules/united-states/clergy-satisfaction-and-vocational-commitment.

How committed are the leaders of America’s local congregations to their work and ministry? How satisfied are they with their effectiveness as congregational leaders? And, what types of problems do they face on a daily basis? These are important questions that religious researchers have begun to ex...