Religion and Party Politics
Boy, was I wrong. I commented in another posting (Red-Staters Are Breeding Like…Drunken Ferrets?) that Catholics tended to vote for Democrats, but according to a Pew Survey, that wasn’t quite the case in the 02, 04, and 06 elections. As you can see below, white Catholics, especially those who attend mass regularly, are more likely to vote Republican.
As for other groups, faithful white evangelicals are the most likely to vote for Republicans. Black protestants, Jews, people of faiths other than Christianity and Judaism, and the unaffiliated, are the most likely to vote for Democrats. And that difference between the religious bases of the parties has grown more stark in recent years. Hence the title of this study: The God Gap Widens.
Congressional Vote by Religious Affiliation and Frequency of Religious Attendance, 2002-2006
Here’s more evidence of that gap. People of any religion who attend their services regularly are more likely to vote for Republicans. And again that difference has increased since 2002.
Congressional Vote (House) by Worship Attendance, 2002-2006
(Share of 2006 Electorate in Parentheses)
So what’s the connection between voting and church attendance? One argument is that it’s the perception of parties. Avid churchgoers are more likely to vote Republican because they perceive the Democrats as hostile to orthodox Christianity–whether or not that perception is true of any one particular Democratic candidate.
Another is that Republicans try harder than Democrats to work with churches and Christian organizations, at least the predominantly white ones, in order to mobilize support and lure voters.
Written by Ayschlay
~J~ Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 11:09 amVisit ~J~
Ayschlay,
First, I’m impressed! You figured out how to upload graphics all by yourself! It took me awhile to be brave enough to do that.
I’ve been a fundamentalist Protestant (Baptist) all my life. Maybe that explains why I’m Republican. I just feel the Republican party better supports my views and values than the Democratic party.
Good post!
Big Mo Says:
June 15th, 2007 at 12:20 pmVisit Big Mo
It’s fascinating to see the raw numbers. And saddening, too.
Jeff Weinkauf Says:
June 16th, 2007 at 2:12 amVisit Jeff Weinkauf
A -
Breeding like drunken ferrets huh? Nice…..can I use that one?
Amy and I agreed a long time ago we’d vote for whom ever had the best ideas, track record, etc. No matter the party.
Guess that makes us crappy republicans huh?
solacegirl Says:
June 16th, 2007 at 2:13 amVisit solacegirl
I think that I am disenchanted with both parties right now. I have this idealistic and probably unrealistic view of government. Maybe that’s why I like drowning my sorrows in episodes of The West Wing. I am not happy with any of the candidates, and I am concerned with my options for 2008.
~J~ Says:
June 16th, 2007 at 4:37 amVisit ~J~
solacegirl,
You’re not as alone as you might think. I’m not excited about the choices of any of the candidates and I don’t know of anyone who is.
I want to vote for someone rather than against someone.
I also want to be proud of my government, and right now they are all acting like 2 year olds and I’m not very proud.