Christian views of the Supreme Court have come a long way since the high court legalized same-sex marriage eight years ago. At that time, less than a third of Christians had a positive view of the court. But now, more than three years into the Trump administration, with new conservative-leaning justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh added to the court's majority, things have changed. A new Pew Research survey shows nearly 70% of Christians view the Supreme Court favorably.
Dave Welch, president of the Texas Pastor Council, tells KTRH it is no coincidence these numbers have turned around in recent years. "Christians in general have felt much more positive about the direction of the court on foundational issues such as religious liberty and the sanctity of life, since the Trump administration and the new appointments," he says.
The Left seems to have noticed the change in the court, as well. This week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threatened Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh by name after the court heard arguments on a Louisiana abortion law aimed at overturning Roe v. Wade. Schumer's comments drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including from Chief Justice John Roberts, who called them "inappropriate and dangerous."
Welch cites abortion as a key area where the current court seems much more friendly to Christians. "What we're seeing now (from the Left) is there really is no such thing as pro-choice, it is really radically pro-abortion, and thankfully that's not where the current administration or the court has been going," he says.
The other issue where the high court has earned more believers is religious liberty. "These ordinances that criminalize people practicing their faith in their businesses or in public, are an assault against all of our freedoms," says Welch. "And that's why we're encouraged by the direction of the court...they're saying no."