Mainline Protestantism and Catholicism in America rise together, hold steady together, and decline together. The reasons for the decline may vary, from group to group, but few in church life have it easy today. “Decline,” it turns out, is contagious.

(RNS) New research shows that Catholics report the lowest proportion of strongly affiliated followers among major American religious traditions. Evangelicals, on the other hand, are increasingly devout and committed to their faith. By David Gibson.

(RNS) Pollsters and politicians hunting for the rare and elusive undecided voter might want to train their sights on the pulpit. By Daniel Burke.

(RNS) A majority of Protestant pastors plan to vote for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, according to a new survey, but nearly a quarter are still undecided less than four weeks from Election Day. By Daniel Burke.

(RNS) It would be an error to underestimate or write off the Protestant influence in the American political arena. But with the rapid demographic and sociological changes now underway, get ready for Hindus, Jews, Hispanics, Buddhists, Muslims, gays, women, atheists and many other groups to head up future presidential tickets. By A. James Rudin.

(RNS) The 2012 GOP ticket _ two Christians who are neither evangelical nor mainline Protestants _ isn't a major marker of social change, experts say, but rather a refection of today's wider, less brand-specific Christian culture. By Cathy Lynn Grossman.