Polling Supports Our Concerns. Are the Politicians Listening?

Yet another national poll is out finding that Americans are increasingly concerned about what is happening to religious freedom. This concern is seen in all demographic groups and ages.

The Barna Group did their polling even before Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis, was jailed for her religious beliefs.  Their research reveals the tension more Americans are feeling over the topic of religious freedom.  The poll finds a significant rise in the belief that religious freedom is worse today than just three years ago.

Even among the younger millennial age group, their concern about religious freedom eroding has increased by 9 points since 2012.  Gen-Xer’s say religious freedom is worse today by 13 points over the previous survey three years ago.

Eight out of ten evangelical Christians, those most likely to feel the squeeze on religious freedom, say that things are worse today for people of faith.  This group also has the highest level of concern over the restriction of religious freedom in the next five years.

Perhaps, surprisingly, even among the more non-religious, atheists, agnostics and the religiously unaffiliated, there is an increase in those who believe religious freedom has gotten worse since 2012.  That increase has gone from 23% three years ago to 32% today.

A near unanimous 90% of those polled agreed with the statement, “True religious freedom means all citizens must have freedom of conscience.”

The Barna Group concludes the following from their new research:

“Based upon the fact that millions of Americans see an escalating threat to religious freedom, we anticipate that more people will feel the need to stand up for their religious convictions in a public manner. So, we likely haven’t seen the last of events like Kim Davis. Christian leaders have an opportunity and responsibility to help coach people toward a biblical response to the faith challenges of an increasingly post-Christian society.”