Religious freedom report

The third annual 'Religious Liberty in the States' report from First Liberty Institute has ranked Illinois as the top state for religious liberty, despite a slight drop in its score from 85% to 81%. The report assesses states based on 39 legal provisions and consolidates them into 16 safeguards, revealing that many states, including Georgia (ranked 30th with 39.9%), are lacking essential protections for religious freedom. In contrast, Utah voters feel their state's protections are adequate, with 69% believing religious liberty is sufficiently safeguarded. The report highlights growing concerns over religious freedom across the U.S., as many states are slow to adopt new protective measures. West Virginia remains at the bottom of the list, though it has seen its score nearly double to 24%. The findings underscore a division in how states approach the safeguarding of religious liberties amidst a changing political landscape.