Americans more open to religious objections to same-sex service

A new survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) shows an increasing number of Americans think it is permissible for businesses to cite religious grounds to deny certain services to same-sex couples. 

The findings came about two months after the U.S. Supreme Court’s early June ruling that upheld a Denver-area bakery owner’s refusal to bake a wedding cake for a homosexual couple.

A telephone survey of just over 2,000 adults 18 and older showed 46 percent saying wedding-centered businesses should be allowed to decline service, a 5 percent increase since last year. The percentage who said they should not be allowed to do so declined from 56 to 49.

However, PRRI also found that 64 percent of respondents support same-sex unions, a 9 percent increase since 2015. 

In a statement, the institute’s CEO, Robert P. Jones, said despite growing support for LGBT rights nationally, opinions are less settled in specific areas like wedding service providers. 

“Given the court’s narrow opinion in the case involving the Colorado baker, the Supreme Court will likely have another say on this and other related issues, and Judge (Brett) Kavanaugh, if confirmed, could end up being the deciding vote,” Jones said.