Does Faith Trump Social Issues When it Comes to Voting?
Back in 2004, Susan Page wrote for USA Today, “Where will you spend Sunday morning? Will you go to church or Home Depot? Sing in the choir or play golf? Answer that question and you’ve given the most reliable demographic clue about your vote on Election Day. Voters who say they go to church every week usually vote for Republicans. Those who go to church less often or not at all tend to vote Democratic.
Forget the gender gap. The “religion gap” is bigger, more powerful and growing. The divide isn’t between Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Gentiles. Instead, on one side are those of many faiths who go to services, well, religiously: Catholics who attend Mass without fail, evangelical Christians and mainline Protestants who show up for church rain or shine, some Orthodox Jews. On the other side are those who attend religious services only occasionally or never.
The religion gap is the leading edge of the “culture war” that has polarized American politics, reshaped the coalitions that make up the Democratic and Republican parties and influenced the appeals their presidential candidates are making. The debate over same-sex marriage is expected to make it wider than ever this year. Gay rights, partial-birth abortion, definitions of patriotism and other “values” issues are likely to exacerbate the divide between the most observant and others.”
Considering the Presidential election coming this year, what do you think of Ms. Page’s argument from 2004? Does faith trump other social issues when the populace comes to vote?
Dollie Howell Pankey | February 18, 2008 10:56 pm
Although I recognize the veracity of her argument, I also recognize that there are a lot of us who attend church (or other religious services) regularly who do not feel that the Religious Right speaks for us. We are Christian but not conservative (as it is presently used). We take matters of religion and faith seriously and yet reach different conclusions. I believe that my values are very family-oriented, but I recognize that families come in many forms and seek to strengthen healthy and loving connection within familial relationships, whatever they may be. What I add to the conversation is that faith and social issues go together; however, they don’t always reach the same conclusions!