‘Faith and Freedom Index’ ranked all 50 states on how well they protect religious freedoms

BizPacReview.com ^ | June 14, 2023 | Terresa Monroe-Hamilton

[Twotone]

Napa Legal Institute released its first annual “Faith and Freedom Index” on Wednesday concluding that Texas and Alabama rank highest in the nation for protecting freedoms for faith-based groups, while Michigan and Nevada ranked the lowest.

The institute shared its new findings with Fox News Digital. The study ranks all 50 states and Washington, DC on how much their laws affect faith-based, tax-exempt nonprofits’ ability to operate successfully and efficiently without governmental hindrance. The group awarded scores to each state based on a list of 14 factors in the categories of religious freedom and regulatory freedom.

States that tout constitutional provisions for religious freedom scored higher in that category, while states that had “well-developed nonprofit religious corporation laws” received a higher ranking in the regulatory category.

“Taxes and audit requirements to fundraise were examples of ‘red tape’ items that would detract points on the regulatory freedom side. States with modern nondiscrimination laws, which incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity, lost points on the religious freedom side,” Fox News reported.

“No state received a positive ranking of 80% or higher in both categories, according to the legal organization. While 32 states received scores of 40% or lower for religious freedom, states were more friendly to these groups in ensuring freedom from burdensome regulations,” Fox News continued.

Alabama and Texas came out on top with the best overall scores. Michigan received the lowest overall score followed by Nevada, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maine, Hawaii, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

“Texas and Alabama also scored the highest in protecting religious freedom. Alabama received an 86% score and earned the distinction as the only state earning over 80%,” Fox News noted.

[EvilCapitalist]

I’m guessing Pennsylvania ranks pretty low considering a Christian street preacher was arrested almost 2 weeks ago for protesting a pride parade.

[Gay State Conservative]

Yup...my state is right there at the bottom. Massachusetts license plates sport the words "The Spirit Of America". I find that so disgusting that I deliberately obscure those words on my plates.

Spirit of Red China? You bet! Spirit of Saul Alinsky? Yup! Spirit of America? No way,Jose!

[null and void]

Worst graphic ever.

[Alberta's Child]

I would think Pennsylvania should rank pretty high on this list. Between the historical Quaker influence and the strong presence of Amish and Mennonites today, there had long been a deep aversion to government influence in religious matters.

The Pennsylvania government was prohibited from interfering in religious services during COVID. This restriction was written into the state constitution even before the founding of the nation. That didn’t stop many religious groups from shutting themselves down, but that’s a matter of fecklessness and stupidity, not a curtailment of religious freedom.

[Alberta's Child]

Nevada received an 18% score, the lowest score in the nation for protecting religious freedom. Like several other states, Nevada has a Blaine Amendment which prohibits public funds from going to religious schools …

Maybe Nevada deserves to be at the bottom of the list, but a Blaine Amendment like this should have nothing to do with its score. Allowing a religious institution to compel taxpayers to support it is antithetical to the whole notion of religious freedom.

[SoConPubbie]

Highly suspect rating system since California is rated so high.