Undeniable - The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America - 2016 Edition - Editorial and Contents

Sep 27, 2026

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Undeniable: The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America (2016 Edition) documents a documented rise in hostile incidents toward religion in the United States. The report argues this “flood” is harming individuals, families, institutions, and communities by undermining government, education, the military, business, houses of worship, and charity. It emphasizes impacts on jobs and careers, public servants, ministries and chaplains, and restrictions affecting students, the elderly, the sick, the poor, orphans, addicts, and the homeless. It also frames religious freedom as foundational to other freedoms and cites prior research on religion’s societal benefits.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages376

Reading Time15 h 48 min

AccessFree to download

Hostility to Religion Harms Every American

Executive Summary

Section I: Attacks in the Public Arena

Section II: Attacks in the Schoolhouse

Section III: Attacks Against Churches and Ministries

Section IV: Attacks in the Military

Managing Editorial Team

About First Liberty Institute

2016 ED ITI ON UNDENIABLE The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America KELLY SHACKELFORD GENERAL EDITOR UNDENIABLE The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America 2016 Edition Editorial Team Kelly Shackelford Chairman Jeffrey Mateer Executive Editor Justin Butterfield Editor-in-chief Candice Lundquist Julie Hennighausen Stephanie Phillips Assistant Editors Past Contributors Michael Andrews Bryan Clegg UNDENIABLE The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America 2016 Edition Kelly Shackelford, chairman Jeffrey Mateer, executive editor Justin Butterfield, editor-in-chief Candice Lundquist, Julie Hennighausen, and Stephanie Phillips, assistant editors Copyright © 2013–2016 First Liberty Institute. All rights reserved. This publication is not to be used for legal advice. Because the law is constantly changing and each factual situation is unique, First Liberty Institute and its attorneys do not warrant, either expressly or impliedly, that the law, cases, statutes, and rules discussed or cited in this publication have not been subject to change, amendment, reversal, or revision. If you have a legal question or need legal advice, please contact an attorney. First Liberty Institute’s [attorneys may be contacted by going to www.firstliberty.org](attorneys may be contacted by going to www.firstliberty.org), selecting the“Contact” menu option at the top of the page, and then selecting “Request Legal Help.” First Liberty Institute 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 1600 Plano, Texas 75075 (972) 941–4444 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Hostility to Religion Harms Every American 9 Executive Summary 21 Section I: Attacks in the Public Arena 145 Section II: Attacks in the Schoolhouse 285 Section III: Attacks Against Churches and Ministries 351 Section IV: Attacks in the Military 371 Managing Editorial Team 373 About First Liberty Institute 3 Undeniable: The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America 4 HOSTILITY TO RELIGION HARMS EVERY AMERICAN Driven from every other corner of the earth, freedom of thought and the right of private judgment in matters of conscience direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum. —Samuel Adams, August 1, 1776 Hostility to religion in America is rising like floodwaters, as proven by the increased numbers of cases and attacks documented in this report. This flood is engulfing ordinary citizens who simply try to live normal lives according to their faith and conscience. It is eroding the bedrock on which stand vital American institutions such as government, education, the military, business, houses of worship, and charity. It has the potential to wash away the ground that supports our other rights, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and government by consent of the people. Since 2012, First Liberty Institute (formerly Liberty Institute) has documented and publicized this rising tide of hostility to religion in America. First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in America with the exclusive mission of protecting religious freedom for all our citizens. So it is important for us to know the scope of the problem, and we are glad to share what we learn with our fellow Americans, including our nation’s leaders in Congress and beyond. In this 2016 edition of our annual study Undeniable: The Survey of Hostility to Religion in America, First Liberty Institute’s team of researchers, led by a Harvard-trained constitutional attorney, documents a continuing increase in the number of incidents hostile toward religion. The flood is a national problem. Every American should share in the concern for at least three reasons: First, individuals and families are being hurt. The attacks you will read about in these pages are sweeping away small businesses, careers, and ministries. Behind the legalities are tears, anguish, and the denial of basic human tolerance, compassion, and common decency. It’s time for a national rejec

FAQs

What does the report identify as the trend in America regarding religion?

The report states that hostility to religion is rising, shown through increased numbers of documented cases and attacks.

How does the report say hostility to religion affects everyday Americans?

It argues the trend harms individuals and families by sweeping away small businesses, careers, and ministries, and by eroding tolerance and basic common decency.

Why does the report claim religious freedom is foundational to other freedoms?

It states that freedom of religious conscience is part of a person’s identity and embedded in America’s cultural DNA, and that history and immigration to America are tied to religious freedom.

Sep 27, 2026

Upload by Oliver