According to a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute,religiously affiliated people strongly support same-sex marriage differs greatly from public perception. While those who classify themselves as religiously unaffiliated have the highest number of supporters (79 percent), white mainline Protestants are not far behind: 60 percent said they support same-sex marriage. Catholics follow closely, with 58 percent in favor.
The percentages remain high when asked about support for nondiscrimination laws. More than half of all religious denominations surveyed favor these laws. Non-white Protestants bring in the low end, which is still at 59 percent. White evangelical Protestants see a slight uptick at 60 percent. The number jumps to 67 percent for white mainline Protestants, and Catholics show the most support of religiously affiliated groups surveyed at 71 percent. Those unaffiliated had the highest percentage, though, at an impressive 81 percent.
Surprisingly, many religious groups also do not support the “religious freedom” laws that serve to allow business owners to discriminate against LGBTs:
