A comprehensive portrait by PRRI shows the attitudes towards same-sex marriage by religious affiliation.
The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) released a demographic of the current attitudes held based on religious affiliation.
Today, the Supreme Court has heard the arguments that are in support and opposition of same-sex marriage legalization. The decision will be a major turning point, and if they vote for it, same-sex marriage will be legalized in all 50 states. PRRI’s American Values Atlas wanted to get an idea of how the major religions felt about same-sex marriage, so they conducted a 40,000 person interview that took various religious beliefs into account.
Past Attitudes
When Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage in 2003, the first state to do so, almost 65% of Americans unrelated to a religion rejoiced in support. However, at the time, no major religions were in support of same-sex marriage. Over the years, many things have changed, including the way people view one another. 10 years ago, 36% of white mainline Protestants and 35% of white Catholics were in support of legalizing same sex.
Today’s Attitudes
Today, most major religions are split in their opinions of same-sex marriage. Some want it to be legalized in spite of their church’s official opposition. There are many inner church conflicts occurring as members and those among the ranks take different sides. According to the results of PRRI’s interviews, the most supportive religious groups are Jews at 77%, Buddhists at 84% and those who are unaffiliated with a religion at 75%. Over 75% of those who aren’t religiously affiliated are in support of same-sex marriage legalization. Over 60% of mainline Protestants are in support of it as well. The lower levels of support include 35% of white mainline Baptists and 50% of white mainline Church of Christ members.
When it comes to opposition, the top opposing religions are 75% of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 68% of Mormons, 66% of white evangelical Protestants, 58% of Hispanic Protestants and 54% of black Protestants. White evangelical Lutherans are split at 45% for and 48% against.