USA — A new poll by the Public Religion Research Institute reveals people’s political views have created serious division during the holiday season.
According to the poll, 28 percent of Democrats say they have blocked or unfriended someone on social media after viewing a post they disagreed with, compared to only 8 percent of conservatives who say they would do the same. Women surveyed were also twice as likely as men to unfriend someone, and 30 percent of female Democrats said they’d cut someone out for their political views, compared to just 14 percent of male Democrats.
Democrats were also five times more likely to actively avoid friends and family as a result of their politics than Republicans were, 10 percent vs. 2 percent. Most Democrats also take exception to those wishing others a “Merry Christmas.” The majority of Democrats surveyed would prefer the greeting more commonly used be “Happy Holidays!” On the other hand, 67 percent of Republicans responded that stores and businesses should continue on with “Merry Christmas.”