Politics

Majority Of Americans Respect Religious Conviction Over Cultural Pressure: POLL

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Kate Anderson Contributor
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A majority of Americans indicated that they had more respect for those who stood for their religious beliefs despite cultural pressure than those who conform to social pressure in a poll released Tuesday.

Religious liberty and cultural norms have clashed in multiple lawsuits, proposed legislation and even in the sports arena after professional hockey player Ivan Provov refused to wear a rainbow jersey during a game because he said it would violate his religious beliefs about marriage and sexuality. The poll released by Summit Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization, and McLaughlin and Associates Tuesday revealed nearly 66% of Americans had more respect for religious conviction as opposed to those who adjust their faith based on “cultural trends,” while 24.5% of voters said they held in higher esteem those who would change their beliefs to “match cultural trends.” (RELATED: States Have Become The New Battleground For Religious Liberty)

A majority of both political parties said they held more respect for religious conviction, with Republicans coming in at 80.3% and Democrats at 50.6%, while independents held similar views at 66.5%, according to the poll. Political divides were more easily seen with the respondents who opted for religious Americans to conform to cultural standards, with Democrats at 37.6%, while Republicans were less than half of that at 15.2%.

LANSING, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 31: Christian faithful pray during a “Pure Michigan Election Intercession” outside the state capitol building on October 31, 2020, in Lansing, Michigan.  (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

The poll was conducted between Jan. 19 and Jan. 23 with 1,000 likely general election voters and a +/- 3.1% margin of error.

Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries and author of the book “The Truth Changes Everything,” told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the poll’s results showed that despite the politicization surrounding religious rights, that Americans are more tolerant and accepting of faith than one might think.

“Our research consistently shows that 5 to 8% of the US population are real jerks. They don’t get along with anybody, they criticize everything, they can’t tolerate any disagreement, and their instinct is to cut off or cancel anyone who doesn’t agree with them completely,” Myers said. “Unfortunately, social media amplifies these voices for profit, making it seem as if the nation is filled with hate. Now would be a good time for the silent majority to speak up with compassion, courage, and conviction.”

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