Selective Worry: Poll Shows Americans Have Greater Concern for the Rights of Christians
It’s likely tempting for supporters of Kim Davis, Hobby Lobby and others to see this as evidence that the public supports their approach to religious freedom — and shares their concern that it’s being eroded by the state.
But there’s evidence that Americans don’t actually buy the Religious Right’s interpretation of “religious freedom” either. In September, a Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that 63 percent of Americans believed Davis should issue marriage licenses despite her religious objections. In October, 60 percent thought businesses shouldn’t be allowed to refuse to serve LGBT customers. And in 2014, a mere 35 percent agreed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s verdict in Hobby Lobby v. Burwell.
Americans may broadly embrace religious freedom for Christians, but Haynes is right: That doesn’t mean they define the concept the way Religious Right groups say they should. Americans, when questioned on specifics, don’t seem to accept individual assertions of Christian persecution.
Nevertheless, today’s report should still trouble First Amendment advocates. The AP reports that it conducted the poll with NORC not long after horrific terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino; it seems reasonable to assume that this influenced public opinion about the rights of Muslims.
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