Ellison Research has assembled the latest statistics about how Americans view freedom of religious expression in public settings. Overall, the Phoenix-based firm found that almost 80 percent-or well more than that-support a range of those kinds of expressions:

-90 percent think the law should support religious groups renting public property, such as a school, for a meeting if nonreligious groups are permitted to do that

-89 percent believe it should be legal for a public teacher to allow a “moment of silence” for contemplation or prayer during class time

-88 percent say it should be legal for public school teachers to wear religious symbols, such as a cross or a Star of David

-87 percent say voluntary student-led prayers should be legal at public school events such as graduation ceremonies or football games

-83 percent say displaying a nativity scene on city property, such as city hall, should be allowed

-79 percent say it should be legal to display a copy of the Ten Commandments inside a court building.

Ron Sellers, president of the research firm, said the findings may be more about individual freedom than religion: “The majority feels those who don’t wish to listen to a prayer at graduation or see the Ten Commandments in a court building have the right to ignore these things _ but not the right to stop others from expressing themselves.”