More Republican voters believe evangelical Christians face a lot of discrimination than minority groups, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
According to the poll, 30% of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters said they believe evangelical Christians faces “a lot” of discrimination and 70% said they face “some” discrimination. By comparison, 8% of Democrats said evangelicals face “a lot” of discrimination and 32% said they face “some” discrimination. The Republican number has increased in recent years; in 2016, about 21% of Republicans faced a lot of discrimination.
Republicans did not seem to share that concern when asked about other groups.
About 10% of Republicans said women face “a lot” of discrimination and 52% said they face some, while 44% of Democrats believe women face “a lot” of discrimination and 84% believe they face some discrimination.
Roughly 19% of Republicans said black people face “a lot” of discrimination and 66% said they face some, while 69% of Democrats said black people face “a lot” of discrimination and 92% said they face some.
About 34% of Republicans said Muslims face a lot of discrimination, compared to 75% of Democrats who said Muslims face a lot of discrimination.
Republicans were also far more likely to believe white people faced a lot of discrimination (21% GOP vs. 6% Dem) and that men face a lot of discrimination (15% GOP vs. 6% Dem).
Social attitudes have changed in short time:
Partisan differences in racial and social attitudes have changed a lot since the election of President Obama, Pew noted.
Six years ago, just 28% of Democrats said black people face a lot of discrimination, compared to 66% today.
Since 2016, Pew has also found a 14% increase in Democrats who perceive a lot of discrimination against Hispanics and an 11% increase among Democrats who perceive a lot of discrimination against women.
On the other hand, 8% fewer Republicans believe gay and lesbian Americans face a lot of discrimination and 9% more Republicans believe evangelical Christians face a lot of discrimination.
