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Christianity Today, November, 2007 |

Go Figure

Recent statistics on what Americans think of evangelicals, religious freedom, and Billy Graham.

Compiled by Ted Olsen | posted 10/30/2007 09:00AM

56% Americans who believe that freedom to worship applies to all religious groups, regardless of how extreme.

72% Americans who said this in 2000.

19% Americans who say ...

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Steve Skeete

Posted: October 31, 2007 7:42 AM

All persons should be free to worship however they choose as long as they are not infringing some law or violating the acknowledged right (s) other persons. Saying that someone should be free to worship only is saying very little. Worship is about expression. However, if that expression offends that law, e.g. engaging in lewd or immoral activity, promoting violence, illegal drugs etc. then obviously that behaviour cannot be condoned. Worship has to be about what is lawful. I agree with the comment which says that any religion which advocates violence, the killing of converts from their to another religion etc., ought not to be condoned. Freedom of religion must be freedom for all not merely freedon for some to display their hostilities. I also agree with the comment that one "religion must be free to openly disagree with another" again, once this is done within legal boundaries. When certain parameters are disregarded the law should take its course.

Jim of Bentley

Posted: October 31, 2007 4:28 AM

It is a pity that "extreme" wasn't clarified, for it could have impacted upon the answer. If "extreme" meant the ritual use of marijuana, or perhaps the sacrifice of an animal, well, OK, but I wouldn't like it. If extreme meant child sacrifice or inciting violence against other groups - then probably not. If it allows singing of songs of praise in a loud voice on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning or evening, then I am for it. If it is singing loud songs, music, bells, or whatever at 2AM on a Thursday morning and disturbing the neighbourhood, then probably not. Therefore, before we can say we favour or oppose "extreme", I would like someone to clarify what "extreme" means.

Patricia

Posted: October 30, 2007 4:02 PM


The wording of this survey wasn't the best. The American Constitution rightly gives people the freedom to practice any religion, but the government also has the right to determine what religious practices it will and will not allow.

John Paul

Posted: October 30, 2007 1:13 PM

Killing someone, in a religious act of human sacrifice for example, is punishable due to the laws of the land. Therefore, freedom of religion should not allow such a heinous act. However, we must remember that the early Christians were considered cannibals due to eating flesh and drinking blood (of Christ). Crimes must be punished on evidence not on misconceptions of someone's beliefs. And, we must not legislate laws with the purpose of outlawing a specific religion, such as has been done by Catholics to Protestants and by Protestants to Catholics (Ireland). I also believe we need to be careful about punishing people as criminals who have good intent (such as some who refuse medical care). Sometimes medical care can be the cause of death when someone would have lived otherwise. People must be allowed to live their convictions.

Beau in NC

Posted: October 30, 2007 11:53 AM

This survey is flawed. Only two options are given, unlike previous polls, and you do not define "extreme." Do you mean worship that includes human sacrifice (not just "advocacy of murder, etc. but the actual murder)? If that is within the definition, then, of course, it cannot be allowed, and no rational person would say it was. If we are only talking about people talking about murder, then perhaps it would be protected under the constitution, but note that high school students have gotten into trouble for just writing notes about murder. Take the question back to the drawing board and ask again.

Dave Dorman

Posted: October 30, 2007 11:34 AM

"Extremism" is a word that generates more confusion than clarity, since it may or may not result in illegal or harmful behavior. What did you mean to be asking about? Freedom of religion is a civil, constitutional question. (1) So it is generally granted in the USA unless there is a reason to halt its practice because of illegal behavior that comes to light--like the use of peyote in certain Native American ceremonies, or the tendency of a sect to become an armed encampment. (2) Extremism that results in terrorism usually is associated a subgroup within a religion, and the matter of law-breaking is sufficient to go after them, without asking how extreme their beliefs are. (3) I'm pretty extreme in my belief in Christ as Lord, and I hope it makes me a better American, and global citizen.

Melody S

Posted: October 30, 2007 11:17 AM


Some religions such as Islam advocate death to the infidels (non muslims). Some religions advocate human sacrifice. Some witchcraft religions advocate animal torture. While we must be very careful to guard the freedom to worhip as we please, it cannot be absolute because some humans are perverted and evil.

William Kintner

Posted: October 30, 2007 11:13 AM


Groups that advocate murder, slavery, terrorism and violence or who want to advance their cause thorugh force and violence should not be allowed freedom to worship.

Keith F

Posted: October 30, 2007 10:44 AM


If worship is defined by a religion as engaging in ritual human sacrifice, for example, no way should such a religion be allowed to worship in that manner. There are limits to religious freedom.

Jonathan Switzer

Posted: October 30, 2007 10:39 AM

when a religion advocates death for those who try to convert their adherents, death for those who convert away, death for those blaspheme their prophet, then they are advocating something that strikes at the heart of the Civil Liberties found in the Constitution of the United States. I believe that you can worship however you want, as long as your worship does not advocate the immediate death of those who publicly disagree and disapprove. We all have the right to be wrong and to do so as publicly as we like. We do not have the right, however, to call for the death of those who disagree with us. Freedom of speech is all encompassing, including a person's right to blaspheme the God that I serve. Now, I am not talking about spiritual rewards/deserts. Freedom of speech extends to those who teach that someone will go to hell forever if they disagree with certain religious tenets. But, that is different from teaching that you should be killed right now for holding those beliefs.

Adam S

Posted: October 30, 2007 8:52 AM

We have to help the world separate worship and the activities of the worshipers. We need to do this for our own long term safety. The right to worship should be absolute. The activities of worship should not. For instance, sex cults would have to be limited to consenting adults. But that is the activity of the worshiper, not the worship itself that is limited. It can be a fine line but one that needs to be watched.

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