When it comes to religion, modern Americans think religious beliefs are good, but they tend to worry about beliefs that affect other people.<\/p>\n\n
As a rule, religious words are safer than religious actions.<\/p>\n\n
Consider these numbers from a new Ellison Research study that shows surprising support \u2014 on the left and right, among believers and skeptics \u2014 for freedom of expression when it comes to words and symbols.<\/p>\n\n
An overwhelming 90 percent of adults agreed that faith groups should be allowed to rent public property, such as a school gyms, if laws gave non-religious groups the same right. Asked about allowing a moment of silence in public schools, 89 percent said that was fine. Another 88 percent said teachers should have the right to wear jewelry, such as a cross or a Star of David, in public-school classes.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cThere is a lot of unity out there about these kinds of issues,\u201d said Ron Sellers, president of the research firm in Phoenix. \u201cBut the specifics do matter. Wearing a cross on your lapel is not the same thing as showing up a school wearing a t-shirt with a big cross on it and the words, \u2018Believe in Jesus or you\u2019re going to hell.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way to say that approving one thing is the same as approving another, even though the same principle is at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
The key is that religion is bad if it makes large numbers of people uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n
For example, 83 percent of the survey participants said it should be legal to put nativity scenes on public property, such as city hall lawns, and 79 percent supported the posting of the Ten Commandments in court buildings. But that number fell to 60 percent when they were asked about Muslim displays on public property during Ramadan.<\/p>\n\n
This study asked another crucial question linked to a religious liberty issue that is affecting a wide variety of faith groups, especially in higher education. <\/p>\n\n
The researchers asked if respondents agreed that it \u201cshould be legal for a religious club in a high school or university to determine for itself who can be in their membership, even if certain types of people are excluded.\u201d The result was a stark divide, with only 52 percent agreeing that religious groups should be able to enforce their own doctrines among their own members.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cPeople might respond differently if you asked the same question, but were more specific,\u201d said Sellers. \u201cI think most Americans believe that a Jewish student union should have the right to say, \u2018No, you\u2019re Muslim. You cannot join our group.\u2019 But what if it\u2019s a conservative Christian group that says, \u2018No, you cannot join our group because you\u2019re gay\u2019? American aren\u2019t sure what they think about that, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
The trend is clear. Vague talk is safer than clear action. Personal beliefs are good, but not if these doctrines lead to actions that indicate that some beliefs are right and others wrong. <\/p>\n\n
Seeking is good, but finding is bad. <\/p>\n\n
Judging is even worse.<\/p>\n\n