Americans See Religious Liberty Sliding While Intolerance (and Whining) Rise

Most U.S. adults say religious liberty is declining in America and Christians face more intolerance than ever. But nearly four in 10 also say Christians “complain too much about how they are treated,” according to a new LifeWay Research survey.

The Nashville-based researchers surveyed 1,000 Americans in September 2013 and again in September 2015. The 2015 survey was conducted a few weeks after Kentucky clerk Kim Davis served five days in jail and made international headlines for refusing to sign marriage licenses for gay couples.
The survey, released in March, found that

• 63 percent of U.S. adults overall say Christians face increasing intolerance, up from 50 percent in 2013.
• 60 percent say religious liberty is declining, up from 54 percent.
• 43 percent say American Christians complain too much about how they are treated, up from 34 percent.

“The significant increase is worth attention,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research, because it is about the rights of faith-based institutions such as schools, colleges, and charities to hire according to their faith, “not about a faux ‘War on Christmas.’”

However, he said, while Christian organizations are fighting for their liberties, “some Christians are whining about Starbucks’ red cups (that did not say “Merry Christmas” on the side). There are real issues here, but Christians need to pick their battles like discerning adults, not complaining children,” said Stetzer.

The survey didn’t ask about the rights of business owners, based on their religious beliefs, to refuse gay couples’ request to rent a venue or purchase cakes or flowers for a wedding. The issues of employment and public accommodations for LGBT people are being fought in several state legislatures.

The Supreme Court is wrestling with a case in which faith-based groups refuse to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to allow their insurer to cover free contraception for employees.

In addition, 65 percent of people of other faiths, including Jews, Muslims, and other minority religions, agree. Stetzer noted that even 46 percent of “nones”—people who claim no religious identity—also saw religious liberty declining.

Seven in 10 Christians—including 82 percent of evangelicals and 76 percent of people who say they attend church at least once a week—say they face increasing intolerance. However, only 43 percent of people of other faiths and 48 percent of religiously unaffiliated agree.

Those who say Christian complaints about treatment are “excessive” include

• * 38 percent of Christians.
• 39 percent of Americans of other faiths.
• 59 percent of nones.
• 53 percent of Americans—secular or religious—who rarely or never attend worship.