NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — A survey of American preachers, conducted by Nashville-based LifeWay Research shows growing concern among senior pastors about religious liberty in America.
According to LifeWay, 70 percent of the pastors agree with the statement, "Religious liberty is on the decline in America." Twenty-seven percent disagree.
Eighty-one percent of self-identified evangelical pastors were more likely to agree. Among mainline pastors, 47 percent agreed.
Dr. Ed Stetzer is the President of LifeWay Research. He says many pastors believe Christians are losing, or have already lost, the culture wars and wonder what happens next.
“I guess the question is, ‘On the other side of that cultural shift, what will it look like for those who hold minority status on things that used to be the majority view?' I think that’s why they’re anxious.”
Setzer says about seven in 10 senior pastors at Protestant churches say Christians have lost or are losing the culture war.
The telephone survey was taken Sept. 4-19, 2013.