Most Evangelicals oppose legalizing any drugs, even marijuana, according to a newly released poll by the Barna Group. Older Americans and conservatives were also more likely to oppose loosening drug laws.
Sixty-six percent of Evangelicals said all drugs should be illegal in a poll conducted in April 2016, and published August 4. Fifty-one percent of conservatives and 46 percent of “elders” (those older than Baby Boomers) agreed.
This position was at odds with the opinion of the majority of Americans and other practicing Christians. Only 32 percent of all Americans and 43 percent of practicing Christians said all drugs should be illegal. The vast majority of Americans, however, still say there should be some restrictions left in place, especially “hard” drugs.
Evangelicals were even more unified in their opposition to legalizing marijuana. Just 16 percent of Evangelicals said that “only hard drugs should be illegal, but recreational drugs like marijuana should be legal.”
Editor in Chief of Barna Roxanne Stone, who directed the study, said that Americans in general, especially younger generations, “have grown weary of the war on drugs and the pressures it has placed on law enforcement, prisons and tax dollars.” Although many Christians have traditionally opposed drug use, she noted that this may begin to change. This is especially true since Barna notes that 25 states and Washington, D.C. have partially legalized the use marijuana, while three states have entirely legalized recreational marijuana.
“Christians have a long history of weighing the morality of alcohol and drug use,” Stone said. “Those debates will likely continue—and more Christians, especially younger ones, will probably begin to see marijuana as an acceptable pastime. Spiritual influencers will need to approach conversations around drugs with care, showing grace even as they caution against the potential long-term damage that drug use and abuse can cause.”
She added that local churches should redouble their efforts to reach people struggling with drug addiction. Churches can be positive forces within their communities by providing support groups for these individuals.
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