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Two-thirds (65.5 percent) see need for some religious freedom laws;
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Many (63.0 percent) also see religious freedom laws as means to discriminate and hide real intent (60.2 percent);
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Near majority (47.7 percent) will not boycott states with religious freedom laws while 38.2 percent will
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The latest national poll by Jackson State University’s Institute of Government Polling Center measured awareness, interest and support for various aspects of religious freedom laws nationally.
The Polling Center at JSU’s Institute of Government has released a national survey of 1000 adults. The poll was conducted May 11– 17, 2016.
There exists strong awareness and interest in “religious freedom laws” – laws designed to allow businesses and individuals the right to refuse service to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered populations – by stating a sincerely-held religious belief. Three-quarters of all Americans surveyed, 76.5 percent, were aware (very or somewhat) of the laws while 79.1 percent expressed interest (very or somewhat interested) in the laws.
Support for religious freedom laws is evenly split among those polled – 44.4 percent strongly or somewhat in support and 45.1 percent somewhat and strongly opposed. Some, 10.4 percent, were unsure.
Many respondents appear to see value in both sides of the issue of religious freedom laws based on their agreement or disagreement with related statements. Interestingly, as overall support/opposition to religious freedom laws is evenly split, 65.5 percent agreed that there does need to be some religious freedom laws to protect those with legitimate beliefs and faiths. Just under one-quarter, 23.0 percent, disagreed.
Agreement and disagreement was recorded for a number of other statements regarding religious freedom laws…
- A private parish pastor should have the right not to marry a lesbian/gay couple – 66.2 percent agreed, 21.0 percent disagreed;
- We do need some religious freedom laws to protect those with legitimate beliefs and faiths – 65.5 percent agreed, 23.0 percent disagreed;
- Sometimes states do pass laws that are designed to discriminate — 63.0 percent agreed, 24.2 percent disagreed;
- These religious laws are creeping in nature and will only get more restrictive and discriminatory – 62.0 percent agreed, 26.0 percent disagreed;
- Sponsors of these laws have the real hidden intent of discrimination – 60.2 percent agreed, 28.0 percent disagreed;
- I see these religious freedom laws as a way to legislate morality – 54.8 percent agreed, 30.6 percent disagreed;
- I would support some level of religious freedom laws in my own state – 50.4 percent agreed, 37.6 percent disagreed;
- I would support boycotts of states with religious freedom laws by companies or sports figures – 42.5 percent agreed, 41.7 percent disagreed;
- A public Justice of the Peace should have the right not to marry a lesbian/gay couple – 38.9 percent agreed, 48.3 percent disagreed;
- I can see myself boycotting or not vacationing in a state with religious freedom laws in place – 38.2 percent agreed, 47.7 percent disagreed;
- These laws are accurately and properly titled: “Religious Freedom Laws” – 35.6 percent agreed, 43.3 percent disagreed.
ABOUT THE POLL: The poll was conducted by The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government. Polling by the IOG Polling Center is conducted on a regular basis and may also include spontaneous polling on occurring events. For the full Poll Report, CLICK HERE.
METHODOLOGY: The poll sampled opinions of 1000 approximately proportional to state population contribution nationwide. The survey was conducted May 11-17, 2016. All surveys were conducted using an online survey instrument. The poll has a +/- 3.0 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level on a composite basis.