WASHINGTON — Significant majorities of Americans say it is possible to disagree with their religion’s teachings on abortion and homosexuality and still remain in good standing with their faith.
The findings, released recently in a detailed survey by Public Religion Research Institute, held true for major religious groups, including Catholics and white evangelical Protestants.
The findings reflect the complicated tasks faced by Catholic bishops to discipline politicians who stray from church teaching, or evangelical groups that try to toe a traditional line as cultural values shift around them.
The survey found that six in 10 Americans chafe at the idea of religious leaders pressuring politicians on the issue of abortion, as has happened to several high-profile Catholic Democrats in recent years.
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