Faithful Politics

Dr. Robert P. Jones on What White Christians Have Wrought in American Politics

Dec 14, 2024
Guest
Robert P. Jones
Robert P. Jones, president of the Public Religion Research Institute and a leading scholar on religion and politics, discusses the profound impact of white Christian nationalism on American democracy. He highlights how white Christians shifted allegiances from the Democratic to Republican Party and their overwhelming support for Trump. The conversation delves into the historical roots of these political dynamics, revealing how faith intertwines with racial identity and voting patterns, and stresses the need for greater moral accountability in the Christian community.
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INSIGHT

Party Sorting by Race and Religion

  • The two major U.S. political parties have largely sorted themselves by race and religion, not just ideology.
  • This sorting significantly impacts political divides.
ANECDOTE

Carter and the Christian Right

  • Jimmy Carter's lack of evangelical support stemmed from his pluralism, not his stance on abortion.
  • The Christian right's birth originated from defending Bob Jones University's racist policies.
INSIGHT

Steady Evangelical Support

  • White evangelical support for Trump has remained remarkably steady, exceeding mere nose-holding.
  • Their favorability towards him consistently stays high despite controversies.
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