The First Liberty Institute from the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy released an index of data reflecting the level of religious freedom citizens have in every state in the country. According to their website, the study "captures the extent to which people have the freedom to practice their religion in everyday life according to the laws of their state. Not just their ability to gather for worship."
The index is calculated with six main metrics from 29 closed yes/no questions. The questions include some main topics such as:
- The Religious Freedom Restoration Act: This federal law "ensures that the religious interests of every person are protected." Therefore, citizens express their response as to whether their religion and beliefs are respected, regardless of what they are.
- Exemptions from childhood vaccination requirements: All states require vaccination of school-age children. If a state allows any non-medical exemption from this requirement, whether on religious, philosophical or moral grounds, it is considered positive for religious freedom.
- Employer exemption from the contraceptive mandate: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurance coverage to include contraceptives, exempting houses of worship from this requirement. This question captures whether states maintain existing federal exemption space for religious employers.
Worst: New York, West Virginia and California
#50 New York scored the lowest on the list, with only 16% religious freedom. The inhabitants of the state expressed that they feel coercion when practicing their religion. In the categories of exemptions from childhood immunization requirements, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the employer exemption from the contraceptive mandate, citizens voted against complying.
New York Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
#49 West Virginia with 18% religious freedom, scored at the bottom of the list. In the categories of exemptions from childhood vaccination requirements and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, citizens voted that these freedoms are not being met. However, citizens voted "yes" to the employer exemption from the contraceptive mandate.
RLS West Virginia Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
#48 California occupies one of the last places in the ranking. At 19%, Californians expressed how the Golden State's laws often inhibit them from properly practicing their religion. In the categories of exemptions from childhood vaccination requirements, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the employer exemption from the contraceptive mandate, citizens voted that they are "not" met.
RLS California Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
Top performers: Mississippi, Illinois and New Mexico
#1 Mississippi is the most religiously free state in the country. At 82%, it is the only one that provides citizens with full respect for their religion, without wanting to modify or impose laws on aspects of people's daily life with different religious beliefs.
RLS Mississippi Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
#2 Illinois is at 81% religious freedom. It is the second state on the list that guarantees respect for people's religion. In the categories of the ability to vote absentee, exemptions from childhood immunization requirements, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, citizens voted "yes."
RLS Illinois Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
#3 New Mexico with 61% religious freedom, becomes a state that shields almost all people regardless of their beliefs. In the categories of exemptions from childhood immunization requirements and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, citizens voted "yes."
RLS New Mexico Scorecard 2022 by VozMedia on Scribd
