Voters Condemn Houston Mayor’s Attack On Religious Freedom

Houston Mayor Annise Parker, a lesbian, is trying to force religious leaders to provide the government with copies of their sermons. (Photo: AP/LM Otero)

Houston Mayor Annise Parker, a lesbian, recently subpoenaed sermons, speeches and private communications by pastors in the city opposed to a proposed gay rights ordinance. While the religious community was predictably up-in-arms about the First Amendment violation, a new survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports found voters strongly oppose the mayor’s actions.

The survey found 77 percent of likely voters say they do not believe the government should be allowed to prosecute religious leaders for their comments and beliefs when they criticize government and social justice policies that violate the basic tenets of their religion. Only 14 percent say the government should be able to ignore the First Amendment and prosecute religious leaders when they speak out about policy that contradicts their beliefs.

Further, by a 40 – 34 percent margin, voters leans toward believing criticism by religious leaders of policies that violate their faith is not politics.

A whopping 80 percent view freedom of religion as “Very Important,” and 54 percent say the government is a threat rather than a protector of their rights. Opposition to the Houston Mayor cuts across party lines.

Regardless of their partisan affiliation — though there are fewer on the left who agree — voters think the government should not be allowed to prosecute religious leaders who criticize government and social policies that violate their basic religious beliefs. While Republicans (77 percent) and nonaffiliated voters (65 percent) are adamant about this, Democrats don’t believe that nearly as strongly. Democrats agree by a much narrower 46 – 35 percent margin.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

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