Loyal but dissenting believers
Significant majorities of Americans say it is possible to disagree
with their religion's teachings on abortion and homosexuality and still
remain in good standing with their faith. The findings hold true for
major religious groups, including Catholics and white evangelical
Protestants.
The results reflect the complicated tasks faced by
Catholic bishops to discipline politicians who stray from church
teaching or by evangelical groups that try to maintain a traditional
stance as cultural values shift around them.
In fact, the survey
released June 9 by Public Religion Research Institute found that six in
ten Americans chafe at the idea of religious leaders publicly pressuring
politicians on the issue of abortion, as has happened to several
high-profile Catholic Democrats in recent years.
