Sociology, Department of
Date of this Version
2-28-2018
Citation
https://theconversation.com/nebraskans-who-support-and-oppose-religious-freedom-laws-actually-share-many-of-the-same-values-90888
Abstract
Religious freedom legislation highlights political division in the U.S., pitting conservative Christians against LGBTQ people and their allies.
As sociologists who study sexuality and conservative Christianity in the U.S., we decided to investigate whether and why people support or oppose these religious freedom laws with our co-author, Mathew Stange. Our recent study asks specifically about laws that protect business owners who refuse to serve gays or lesbians. This is the focus of the ongoing Supreme Court case Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The case will decide the legality of a wedding cake baker’s refusal to make a cake for a same-sex couple.