The uproar set off by legislation in Indiana and Arkansas that sponsors billed as religious freedom measures not only signaled a revival of the culture wars, but also threw into stark relief the expectations and tensions in the coalitions that now make up the two major political parties. The contrasting […] Read more »
Religion, Same-Sex Relationships and Politics in Indiana and Arkansas
The controversy over the state-based religious freedom laws in Indiana and Arkansas highlights the continuing impact of religion on social and policy issues in this country. The laws were an apparent outgrowth of the feelings of highly religious segments living in those states that they were being marginalized and that […] Read more »
Evangelicals Incensed by Business Push Against ‘Religious-Freedom’ Bills
The furor over “religious-freedom” laws has split the GOP coalition wide open, and many conservative evangelical leaders don’t like the way the party is handling it. … There have long been tensions between religious conservatives and the business wing of the Republican Party, often centering on how much emphasis the […] Read more »
How Does Language Impact Public Opinion Polls?
Democracy depends on an understanding of the people’s will, but there’s one big problem: Oftentimes the people don’t know what they want. Take the Indiana “Religious Freedom” law that allows businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples. The law is sparking headlines and nation-wide protests, but, it’s damn near impossible […] Read more »
Does the public support Indiana-style religious freedom laws? It depends how you ask.
David Weigel has a piece up arguing that Democrats have been so intoxicated with business leaders taking the gay rights side in the Indiana religious freedom controversy that they’re ignoring polling showing that the public agrees with Mike Pence. … The truth is that this is an issue where the […] Read more »
Pence’s Problems a Preview of GOP’s Biggest 2016 Hurdle
Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Pence has long been a big fish in conservative circles. And this week he looked every bit the part, raging and writhing like a shark caught in a net after the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” that he signed to cheers from social conservatives provoked a furious […] Read more »