Christians have become increasingly anxious about the state of religious freedom in the United States, with a big majority saying they're facing growing levels of persecution, a newly released poll shows.
The LifeWay Research survey finds 63 percent of respondents say they're facing more persecution — with 38 percent saying they "strongly agree" with the statement, an increase from 2013, when 50 percent thought persecution was growing, and 28 percent strongly agreed.
Sixty percent said religious liberty is on the decline in America, up from 54 percent in 2013, the poll found.
The survey's margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percent.
In other findings, the survey, released last month, also showed:
- 43 percent said Christians "complain too much about how they are treated," up from 34 percent in 2013.
- 74 percent of Protestants think Christians face growing intolerance, while 59 percent of Catholics think so.
The survey comes as several states debate religious protection laws, including
Georgia, and
Missouri.