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The Latest from Religious Liberty in the States

South Carolina

The Latest from Religious Liberty in the States

Religion Unplugged: Illinois and South Carolina Rank Tops in Religious Liberty Index

Illinois and South Carolina have the most religious liberty safeguards currently in place, while states such as West Virginia ranked at the bottom, a report issued by a conservative think tank revealed.

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Illinois

The Christian Post: Best and Worst States for Religious Liberty

The Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy at First Liberty Institute released its second annual Religious Liberty in the States report last week. The report ranked all 50 states by the number of safeguards in place for religious liberty. While Mississippi scored highest last year, Illinois received the highest score this year. 

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RealClear Religion: Not Just for Christians: How Religious Liberty Protections Benefit Religious Minorities

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in RealClear Religion on July 19, 2023, and is authored by Trey Dimsdale,…

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WORLD Opinions: A Blue State Makes a Big Point

One of the most noteworthy changes from the first iteration of the index last year is that the state of Illinois has moved from the second position to the top spot. Last year’s leader, Mississippi, dropped into a tie for fourth.

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Illinois

Announcing RLS 2023’s #1 State: Illinois

Illinois has earned the highest score in the Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) 2023 rankings due to its long history of protecting religious liberty, resulting in a broad range of state laws that safeguard the free exercise of religion for its residents.

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South Carolina

Announcing RLS 2023’s Runner-up State: South Carolina

South Carolina has made major strides in protecting religious liberty, significantly improving its ranking in the Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index. While the Palmetto State ranked in 38th place in 2022 with an unimpressive score of 31 percent, it has skyrocketed to second place in 2023 with a strong score of 67 percent.

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How RLS Has Expanded in the Project’s Second Year

The second year of RLS is a noteworthy development for the project, as it marks the first time that new safeguards were identified and changes in law were tracked over time. Learn more about how RLS has expanded in its second year.

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A Technical Note: Comparison Over Time and Editions of RLS

As RLS grows—aiming to measure a fuller potential for safeguarding the free exercise of religion and to provide a richer set of data to interested citizens, legislators, and scholars alike—it is important for users to note the scope of what the index is combining in a given year.

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Tennessee

Jackson Sun: Tennessee Can Do Better to Protect Religious Liberties

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in the Jackson Sun on October 15, 2022, and is authored by Dr. Sean Evans, chairman…

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Alabama

Alabama Political Reporter: Religious Liberty in Alabama: Pretty Good, Could be Better

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in the Alabama Political Reporter on September 29, 2022, and is co-authored by Dr. Jason Jewell,…

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Michigan

Holland Sentinel: Michigan Can Do Better on Religious Liberty

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in the Holland Sentinel on September 29, 2022, and is co-authored by Dr. Sarah M. Estelle,…

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Oklahoma

Tulsa World: Oklahoma Edges Out Texas in Protecting Religious Liberty

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in the Tulsa World on October 1, 2022, and is authored by Hiram Sasser, executive general…

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Townhall: Understanding the Role States Have in Protecting Liberty

Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was published in Townhall on September 25, 2022, and is authored by Patrick M. Garry,…

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