The Pew Forum conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. It also provides a neutral venue for discussions of timely issues through roundtables and briefings. The Pew Forum examines a wide range of issues concerning religion and American society, from the shifting religious composition of the U.S. to the influence of religion on politics. The Pew Forum also covers a range of policy issues that often have a religious component - from abortion and gay marriage to stem cell research and church-state controversies. The Pew Forum explores the role religion plays in world affairs through a range of research products, from large public opinion surveys on religion and society to in-depth demographic analyses of the current distribution and future growth trajectory of major religious groups.