Millennials Have No Idea What “Religious Freedom” Actually Is

Every. Single. Time. I write a story about millennials someone comes at me with a “my son Timmy is a millennial and he’s a perfect kid! You’re a LIAR and I HATE YOU.”

COOL YOUR JETS, PEOPLE! I’m 26 years old! What does that make me? A MILLENNIAL. THERE ARE PLENTY OF EXCEPTIONS, BUT FACTS ARE FACTS!

Anyway…

According to a new poll conducted by Amicus Communications, millennials think religious freedom is super duper important… but they have absolutely no idea what it actually means.

95% of the respondents of the poll said that “Religious Freedom” is vital. So baaaasically everyone.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Poll participants were given the following statements, and asked which one they agree with.

1. There is a difference between a business serving people equally and forcing a business to participate in a ceremony that violates their religious beliefs. We should respect religious freedom of these people.

 

2. There is no difference between illegal discrimination and a business person refusing to provide services to a gay wedding ceremony for religious reasons. We should enforce anti-discrimination laws against these people.

49% of respondents agreed with statement 2. As in, despite the fact that nearly all of these dolts say religious freedom is vital, HALF OF THEM think businesses should be forced to perform services that violate the beliefs of the business owner’s religion.

We’re surrounded by geniuses here….

(I have a strong feeling these blowhards support freedom of religion…. unless it’s Christianity. You know, just a hunch. )

Emily Hardman, president of Amicus Communications:

…Said she was surprised by data showing millennials accepting religious freedom in an abstract way but considerably less supportive of religion and faith when presented in real-life terms.

 

“They think it (religious freedom) is merely just a choice, and it’s troubling to see that so many don’t know what it means more than just choosing — it means practicing that faith in a meaningful and authentic way,” said Hardman, herself a Millennial and a graduate of Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School.

Hardman also highlights some other trends among millennials:

• 58 percent of millennials agree that “Religion is personal and should not play a significant role in society.”

 

• Millennials are 13 percent more secular than older generations.

 

• Religious liberty considered by millennials as “very important” is a rate significantly less — by 8 percent — than older Americans.

 

• Millennials agree about 10 percent less than older demographics on statements like “Involvement by churches and religious leaders helps communities solve problems” and “Religious values make families more stable and helps make better communities.”

Long story short, religion isn’t trendy amongst millennials. Unless, of course, it’s Islam, at which point they’ll go to insane lengths to defend it.

Uuuuuugh. We’re doomed, folks.