December 2. 2011
In a national survey of registered U.S. voters commissioned by EPPC's American Religious Freedom Program in early November 2011, respondents provided their opinions on various topics related to domestic First Amendment rights. Below are top-line findings from the survey. (Click our chart images for a larger view)
- Nearly all (95%) respondents agree with: "One of the main reasons America was founded was to enable all people of all faiths to have the freedom to believe and practice whatever religion they choose."
- When responding to 8 broad statements measuring respondents' views on religious freedom, the percentage of Americans who strongly sided with religious freedom was greater than 50%. (See fig. 1 for an example.)
- An overwhelming majority (85%) agree that "religious freedom" means that Americans "can practice their religion without interference from the government."
- Equal numbers (23%) of Americans say that freedom of religion and freedom of speech are the two First Amendment rights most likely to be threatened. (Fig. 2.)
- Nine out of ten Americans (90%) say that religious freedom is an inherent right - one that is not granted by government.
- Over 92% of Americans surveyed disagree with: "Sometimes the law should require a person to change her religious beliefs or religious practices in order to keep her job."
- Sixty-eight (68%) percent disagree that government should be allowed to place even "reasonable restrictions" on Americans' freedom "to speak about and practice their religion." (Fig. 3.)
- However, 43% of 18- to 24-year-olds agree that government should be allowed to place "reasonable restrictions" on the ability to practice religion, compared to only 29% sample-wide. (Fig. 3.) Still, 85% of 18- to 24-year-olds agree that freedom of religion "includes the right ... to act, or refuse to act" based on one's religious beliefs.
- An overwhelming majority (89%) of Americans are unaware of a recent U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Department of Justice seeks to limit the freedom of Americans of all faiths to choose the leaders of their own synagogues, churches, mosques, and other religious organizations.
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Survey Methodology: Presentation Testing (N.Y.) and TargetPoint Consulting (Va.) conducted a national, random-digit-dial telephone survey of 1,200 registered U.S. voters during November 3-9, 2011. The margin of error on the full survey is +/- 2.8%, and on the split sample questions it is +/- 4.0%.
Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. EEOC, No. 10-760 (U.S. 2011).
