America’s New Religious Liberty Rankings Reveal a Sobering Divide Among the States
Editor's Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Regent University, its faculty, administration, or affiliates.
First Liberty Institute has released its newest edition of Religious Liberty in the States (RLS), a comprehensive index that evaluates how well each of the fifty states protects religious freedom. The report is quickly becoming one of the most influential tools available to policymakers, citizens, and faith leaders who are concerned about the legal health of religious liberty in America.
The 2025 update tells an important story — one of significant improvement in some states, troubling declines in others, and a persistent nationwide gap between the promise of religious freedom and the reality of state-level legal protections. This project is directed by Dr. Mark David Hall, a distinguished scholar and professor at Regent University’s Robertson School of Government, and Dr. Paul D. Mueller, a senior research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research.
Top Performers: States Expanding Protections
This year, Florida stands at the top of the rankings, earning the #1 position for the first time. With a score of 74.6%, Florida now secures nearly three-quarters of all protective categories measured — including conscience protections in health care, safeguards for religious expression in public life, and legal space for faith-based institutions to operate according to their beliefs. Florida’s dramatic rise reflects a focused effort by state lawmakers to strengthen religious-liberty statutes over the past several years.
Montana follows close behind at 70.6%, a notable achievement linked to its adoption of new conscience protections for medical professionals. Illinois ranks third with a score of 68.8%, illustrating that religious-liberty protections are not limited to any single political or regional identity. Also rounding out the top five are Ohio and Mississippi, both of which maintain relatively strong legal frameworks for religious exercise.
These states demonstrate that, when lawmakers act intentionally, religious freedom can be safeguarded in ways that meaningfully affect the day-to-day lives of citizens, churches, and faith-based organizations.
Lowest Performers: States Where Religious Liberty Remains Vulnerable
The bottom of the rankings is equally instructive. For the third consecutive year, West Virginia sits at the very bottom — this time at 19.6%, meaning it lacks more than four-fifths of the legal protections the index assesses. Also among the lowest states are Wyoming, Michigan, Nebraska, and Vermont, each scoring under 30%.
These low rankings do not necessarily reflect hostility toward faith communities; rather, they reveal the absence of clear legal safeguards. Without statutory protections for conscience rights, religious expression in education, or the freedom of religious organizations to operate according to their convictions, these states risk leaving people of faith exposed to unnecessary legal vulnerability.
A Nation in Motion: Biggest Gains and Declines
One of the most valuable features of the RLS index is its ability to track movement over time. The differences are striking:
- Montana is the most improved state since 2022, gaining +30.8%.
- South Carolina follows with a +29.6% increase.
- Florida, now the nation’s leader, has improved by +16.6% over three years.
On the other hand:
- Mississippi experienced a –15.4% decline, despite still ranking within the top five overall.
- Kansas dropped –15.0%.
- Pennsylvania declined by –12.3%.
These shifts illustrate how quickly the legal landscape can change — in either direction. State policy decisions, whether enacted or neglected, have real consequences for religious individuals, faith-based ministries, and institutions seeking to live out their beliefs with integrity.
Why This Index Matters, Especially for the Christian Community
For Christians, the RLS report is more than a policy document; it is a reminder that the freedom to worship, serve, educate, and minister is deeply connected to the legal structures that support or restrict religious exercise.
The index serves several vital purposes:
- It provides a clear, data-driven evaluation of where religious protections are strongest and weakest.
- It equips churches, nonprofits, and families with the knowledge needed to advocate effectively within their states.
- It helps citizens hold lawmakers accountable, ensuring that religious liberty remains a priority rather than an afterthought.
- It highlights progress where it is happening, encouraging Christians to remain hopeful and engaged.
The apostle Paul appealed to the protections of Roman law when appropriate; in the same way, today’s Christians should be informed about the legal safeguards available or lacking in their communities.
Regent University’s Connection and Calling
That Regent University plays a central role in this project through the leadership of Dr. Mark David Hall is no small detail. Religious liberty is not merely a legal issue; it is a spiritual and cultural calling. Regent’s mission to develop Christian leaders who will impact every sphere of society is strengthened when its faculty help shape national conversations on fundamental freedoms.
The findings of this year’s report remind us that religious liberty in America cannot be assumed — it must be understood, defended, and continually cultivated. As the landscape shifts, Christians are called to remain vigilant, informed, and willing to stand for the rights of all people to worship and live out their faith freely.
For more information, visit https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/.
