In light of recent growing attacks on churches, the Biden administration has taken significant steps to limit religious freedoms when they conflict with progressive agendas.
For instance:
- The Biden Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has set a rule that mandates employers, including Christian organizations, to engage with employees who seek abortions.
- EEOC also attempted to force Christians to fund gender-affirming surgeries, claiming it violates employee rights.
- The Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services aimed to exclude Christian caregivers from the foster care system due to their adherence to biblical and scientifically based views on sex and marriage.
- Under Biden’s leadership, the FBI identified conservative Catholics as potential domestic threats and considered infiltrating the Catholic Church for monitoring purposes.
Unlike the previous administration ousted in 2024, public sentiment appears increasingly in favor of religious freedom, highlighted by the latest report from the Beckett Fund for Religious Freedom’s Religious Freedom Index.
“Our nation still believes that first freedoms lie at the core of our cultural values—not as a source of discord, but as a foundation for resolving it,” a statement noted.
Over the past six years, Beckett has been observing public views on religious freedom. The recently released 2025 index indicates the highest level of support ever recorded, with a score of 71 out of 100. A rating of 0 reflects total opposition, and 100 signifies strong endorsement.
This marks a notable shift, particularly when viewed against the 2020 findings, where the composite score was only 66.
In 2020, 52% agreed that religious freedom should be public and that individuals should share their faith openly; this has grown to 57% in the latest survey.
Support for parental rights regarding opting out of inappropriate public school curricula surged from 63% in 2021 to 73% in 2025.
When poll respondents were asked about the Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision in Mahmoud vs. Taylor, a solid 62% expressed approval for the ruling, siding with Maryland parents wanting to shield their children from LGBT propaganda in local schools.
Regarding educational funding, 77% of respondents were in favor of public support for education benefiting families who opt for religious schools.
“This year’s index suggests that, while Americans are cautious about religion’s role in society, there’s unity around the essential principle of religious freedom for all—even in complex situations that stir controversy,” the report indicated.
A significant majority, 58%, stated they back Christian bakers’ right to refuse making cakes that go against their sincerely held beliefs.
Additionally, 61% maintained that the First Amendment’s guarantee for free exercise should shield Catholic clergy from being forced to break the confessional seal, which would be necessitated under a current mandate from Washington Democrats.
However, feelings were somewhat more divided concerning Christian therapists. Only 47% lent support for them to provide talk therapy aimed at addressing gender dysphoria in youth, as highlighted in the Chiles v. Salazar case contesting Colorado’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy.”
“Year after year, the Index reveals that religious freedom stands as one of our most valued principles,” remarked Mark Rienzi, President and CEO of Beckett, in a communicated statement.
“Despite our significant differences, there’s a shared belief that our fundamental freedoms are essential to our culture—not as a source of tension, but as a bedrock for resolving it,” Rienzi added. “It’s crucial we safeguard our children’s rights and freedoms for the future.”
