Religious Americans Feel Less Accepted by Society, New Survey Finds
Religious Americans have reported feeling less accepted by society compared to previous years, according to a recent survey conducted by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The survey revealed that Christians experienced the greatest change in perceived acceptance. However, religious non-Christians still reported significantly lower levels of acceptance, with an 8% difference compared to people of faith as a whole and a 12% difference compared to non-Catholic Christians.
The survey, called the 2023 Religious Freedom Index, exclusively shared with Catholic News Agency, found that only half of people of faith in the United States feel that their faith is completely accepted or accepted a good amount. This number represents a 5% decline in religious Americans’ feelings of acceptance compared to the findings from the previous year’s survey.
In terms of specific demographics, the survey indicated that young women of faith between the ages of 18 and 24 are the most likely to report feeling moderate or low acceptance in society. Additionally, the study noted that this age group of women is also less likely to identify as religious compared to women in other age groups and men of the same age.
Catholics emerged as the religious group most likely to feel that their faith is accepted in society, with 56% of Catholics stating that they feel their faith is either completely accepted or accepted a good amount. On the other hand, non-Catholic Christians exhibited a decline in feelings of acceptance, as 54% of respondents reported feeling completely accepted or accepted a good amount, down from 59% in the previous year.
Lori Windham, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, emphasized the importance of defending faith in the public square, stating that when religious people and institutions can freely exercise their beliefs, it fosters a more welcoming culture. Windham highlighted the significance of this for young women of faith, who seem to face greater challenges in feeling accepted compared to other religious groups.
The Becket Religious Freedom Index, an annual survey, compiled data from Sep 28 to Oct 5, 2023, from a nationally representative sample size of 1,000 participants aged 18 and above.
The declining feelings of acceptance among religious Americans underscore the need for ongoing efforts to protect and uphold religious freedoms in the country. As society continues to evolve, it is crucial to create an environment that embraces and respects diverse religious beliefs and practices.
Overall, the survey findings shed light on the evolving dynamics surrounding religious acceptance in American society and the importance of promoting tolerance and understanding across different faith traditions.
