Public opinion ofinterracial marriage in the United States has changed substantially since the 1940s. Today, support forinterracial marriage is near-universal.[1]
Opposition to interracial marriage was frequently based onreligious principles. The overwhelming majority of white Southernevangelical Christians saw racial segregation, including on matters of marriage, as something that wasdivinely instituted from God. They held that legal recognition of interracial couples would violate biblical teaching and hence theirreligious liberty.[2] This position was held by prominent evangelicaldenominations such as theSouthern Baptist Convention until the late-20th century.[3]
A 2011 poll found that 46% of Mississippi Republicans polled said they think interracial marriage should be illegal. A further 14% were not sure.[4][5]
Date | Approval | Disapproval | No Opinion |
---|---|---|---|
July 6-21, 2021 | 94 | 4 | 2 |
June 13-July 5, 2013 | 87 | 11 | 2 |
August 4-7, 2011 | 86 | 11 | 3 |
September 7-8, 2007 | 79 | 15 | 6 |
June 4-24, 2007 | 77 | 17 | 6 |
June 9-30, 2004 | 76 | 19 | 5 |
November 11-December 14, 2003 | 73 | 23 | 4 |
June 3-9, 2002 | 65 | 29 | 6 |
January 4-February 28, 1997 | 64 | 27 | 9 |
September 18-20, 1994 | 48 | 37 | 15 |
June 13-16, 1991 | 48 | 42 | 10 |
April 29-May 2, 1983 | 43 | 50 | 7 |
July 21-24, 1978 | 36 | 54 | 10 |
October 13-16, 1972 | 29 | 60 | 11 |
June 26-July 1, 1968 | 20 | 73 | 8 |
September 24-29, 1958 | 4 | 94 | 3 |