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POLL: Majority Of Americans Think Gay Sex Is Immoral

A majority of Americans think gay sex is not “morally acceptable,” according to a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute that surprisingly also indicates most people in this country favor marriage equality.

The report revealed that 53% of Americans support same-sex marriage, as compared to 41% against. But 51% believe that sex with someone of the same gender is “morally wrong.” (Only 43% are okay with it). Researchers compared same-sex lovin' to some other taboo behaviors:

Among four types of personal behaviors measured—smoking marijuana, viewing pornography, having an abortion, and sex between two adults of the same gender—smoking marijuana was viewed as the least morally objectionable. Roughly 4-in-10 (42%) Americans say smoking marijuana is morally wrong, compared to half (50%) who believe it is morally acceptable.

A slim majority (51%) of Americans say that sex between adults of the same gender is morally wrong, while more than 4-in-10 (43%) say it is morally acceptable.

A majority (54%) of Americans also believe that having an abortion is morally wrong, compared to only one-third (33%) who say it is morally acceptable. Importantly, more than 1-in-10 (11%) Americans say that the morality of having an abortion depends on the particular circum stances. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the public say viewing pornography is morally wrong, while fewer than 3-in-10 (29%) say it is morally acceptable.

But the data suggests that people are able to separate their personal opinions on what is moral from what should be legal. And many, apparently, can separate their values from their religion: 51% of respondents said gay marriage went against their religious beliefs—indicating a noticeable segment are stepping away from church doctrine on the issue.

We feel equally icky about straight sex, but whatever those folks want to do in the privacy of their homes is their business.

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