Consensus in a polarized society – Could it be?

According to new research, religious freedom actually enjoys broad public support.

Caleb Lyman, director of research & analytics at Becket, a law firm advocating religious liberty for all, explains that a good portion of the Religious Freedom Index is a survey, with "16 questions asking people would they accept and support or would they challenge and oppose our listed freedoms, and 14 of those 16 saw a 70 percent or greater support."

So even in this polarized society, Lyman says "there are signs of consensus."

"Not all of these issues were as divisive as you might expect," he cheers. "There were so many areas where people across demographics, across political parties, were in unison on their opinion."

Becket also finds a preference for a hands-off government approach, showing that people do not want the government to get in the way of religion.

"People really are okay with beliefs that are different from theirs and the practice of those beliefs, not just holding those beliefs," Lyman continues. "People were very supportive of practicing faith at work, and even when practicing those beliefs inconveniences someone else."

This is the first time Becket has researched and published a Religious Freedom Index.

"We'll ask the same series of 21 questions each year, and that will allow us to dig into what are the dynamics taking place regarding how Americans feel about religious freedom," he tells OneNewsNow.