Written by Sutherland Institute
July 23, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY (July 23, 2024) – Today, Sutherland Institute released two new publications profiling support for religious freedom and its connection to civil liberties in America’s history.
The new Sutherland/Y2 Analytics survey found strong support for religious freedom among Utah likely voters, with differing views on the level of legal protection.
Highlights from the survey:
- 82% of likely voters in Utah believe that religious freedom is a net positive for society.
- Only 49% believe religious freedom is protected the right amount, while 31% believe it is not protected enough.
- 48% of liberals believe religious freedom is too protected, while only 3% of conservatives share that view.
- While 67% of likely voters in Utah who identify as strongly liberal believe religious freedom is a net positive for society, 48% of liberals believe that religious protections are too strong.
- Level of religiosity correlates strongly with views on the benefits of and legal protections for religious freedom.
In Sutherland’s latest research publication, Constitutional Law and Religious Freedom Fellow William C. Duncan highlights the strong connection between religious freedom and other civil liberties throughout American history.
Highlights from the report:
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Religious motivations played a crucial role in the fight for American independence.
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Many efforts to abolish slavery were deeply tied to faith.
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Religious groups play an important role in fostering civic responsibility – including voting – among the public.
For more information about Sutherland research on religious freedom, visit our issue page: https://sutherlandinstitute.org/policy-religious-freedom/
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