At a press conference this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proudly announced that Florida has been ranked #1 in the nation for protecting religious liberty in higher education. This ranking comes from the First Liberty Institute’s Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. DeSantis called it “a really, really meaningful” recognition, emphasizing that religious freedom has been central to the American experience since the nation’s founding.
A Comprehensive Study Behind the Ranking
According to DeSantis, the ranking wasn’t just symbolic – it was based on a peer-reviewed legal index that evaluated 47 distinct protections across all 50 states. These included laws related to religious exemptions, faith-based education rights, and the ability of individuals to freely live out their beliefs in both public and private settings. Florida’s rise to the top, he said, was the result of deliberate policymaking. “We’ve got a strong record,” DeSantis stated, “of protecting this first freedom throughout the state of Florida.”
Education Reforms Played a Key Role
The governor credited Florida’s school choice program and broader education reforms as key reasons for the state’s top ranking. Parents, he noted, now have unprecedented options to send their children to religious schools or homeschool with a faith-based curriculum. “Every parent now has access,” DeSantis said, “not just the wealthy.” He emphasized that school choice isn’t only about academic performance – it’s also about giving families the freedom to shape their children’s moral and religious foundations.
Religious Liberty Isn’t Just About Christians
DeSantis also made it clear that these protections apply to all faiths. During the event, speakers referenced laws such as Florida’s excused absences policy for religious holidays, which allows students to observe holy days without academic penalty. “That primarily benefits non-Christian minorities,” explained one speaker. The broader point was clear: Florida’s laws aim to protect the rights of every religious community, not just the majority.
COVID Lockdowns Highlighted the Battle
A major theme of DeSantis’ speech was how Florida handled religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. He criticized other states for allowing liquor stores to stay open while forcing churches to close. Florida, in contrast, kept places of worship open and declared religious gatherings as “essential.” When one Florida pastor was arrested by a local government early in the pandemic, DeSantis issued an executive order to override the local restrictions. “Worship is the essential activity,” he said.
A Quiet Cultural Shift
What stands out most about Florida’s approach is that it doesn’t chase headlines. Instead of staging loud culture wars, the state has quietly passed real legal protections. Whether it’s allowing voluntary prayer before football games or shielding doctors with religious objections from forced procedures, these policies are layered, thoughtful, and effective. Florida didn’t just talk about freedom – it codified it.
First Liberty Institute Backs the Ranking
Kelly Shackelford, president of the First Liberty Institute, joined DeSantis at the press event and praised the governor’s leadership. Shackelford’s organization, a nonprofit that focuses exclusively on religious freedom cases, highlighted Florida’s surge from outside the top five to first place in just a few years. “That doesn’t happen without a governor who embraces religious freedom,” Shackelford said, calling Florida’s achievement a “richly deserved reward.”
Florida’s Broader Record of “Number Ones”
During the same press event, DeSantis listed other recent rankings where Florida has come out on top. These include #1 for education freedom, #1 for the economy (according to CNBC), and #1 for new business formations. He also highlighted that Florida is the fastest-growing state and has one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens in the nation. “We’re not just leading on one thing – we’re leading on everything,” DeSantis said.
A Pushback Against Campus Censorship
DeSantis used the occasion to highlight the contrast between Florida universities and elite schools like Harvard and Yale. “America would be fine without Harvard or Yale,” he quoted from Alan Dershowitz, “but America really needs New College.” The governor has used New College of Florida as a model for classical education focused on free speech and religious freedom. “We want students to learn how to think critically,” he said, “not be fed political orthodoxy.”
Religious Freedom Tied to Broader Parental Rights
Much of DeSantis’ education platform centers around parental empowerment, and religious freedom is a central pillar. “Parents have a fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children,” he said. This includes their right to teach faith, to choose religious schools, and to ensure public schools don’t stifle belief. He pointed to legislation that mandates a moment of silence at the beginning of each school day, giving students a chance to pray if they choose.
Medical Conscience Protections Added
Another big win for Florida under DeSantis’ leadership was the passage of the Medical Conscience Act. This law allows physicians to refuse procedures that violate their religious beliefs. “They should not be forced to act against their faith,” DeSantis said. Critics may see this as controversial, but to supporters, it represents a critical safeguard against the government or medical systems overriding personal conviction.
A Model for Other States
What Florida is doing could become a blueprint for others. As noted during the event, states like West Virginia and Georgia, both Republican-led, ranked poorly on the same religious liberty index. So it’s not just about which party is in charge. It’s about priorities. Florida shows what can happen when religious freedom is taken seriously in state law, not just federal courtrooms.
A Milestone for the First Freedom
Governor DeSantis ended the briefing by returning to the Constitution. “Religious liberty was the first freedom the Founders sought to protect,” he said. In his view, Florida is now doing the same. With state-level protections in place, expanded school choice, and a clear legal framework supporting people of faith, Florida has not just earned the top spot – it’s set a new standard. “When you’re fighting for religious freedom,” one speaker said, “you’re fighting for the future of all freedoms.” And in today’s cultural climate, that message carries weight far beyond Florida’s borders.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.
