The political power of white Evangelicals; plus, Biden and the Black church
Jan 19, 2024
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NPR Political Correspondent Sarah McCammon questions whether white Evangelicals are a religious or political group. Dr. Anthea Butler delves into the roots of political activism within the Black church and the complicated relationship between Democrats and the Black church.
The alignment of white evangelicals with the Republican Party seems to be more about a political identity rather than specific religious beliefs.
Religion is becoming more of a political label, while church attendance is declining.
Deep dives
Evangelical Christians as a Political Force
The podcast episode explores the role of evangelical Christians in politics, particularly their impact on the Republican Party. Former President Trump's success in the Iowa Republican Caucus was attributed to support from white evangelicals. However, while identification with evangelicalism has increased among white Americans, church attendance has declined. The question arises: Are evangelicals primarily a religious group or a political one?
Trump's Religious Affiliation and Evangelical Support
The podcast delves into the paradox of Trump's religious affiliation and his support among white evangelicals. Although Trump has not portrayed himself as deeply religious, he speaks about defending Christians and religious freedom. While some evangelicals believe Trump has changed and become more favorable to their causes, others simply support him for his policies and leadership style, regardless of his religiosity.
White Evangelicals and Political Identity
The episode highlights the evolving political identity of white evangelicals. Previously, evangelicals supported Republicans due to issues like abortion and same-sex marriage. However, the current alignment of white evangelicals with the Republican Party seems to be more about a political identity rather than specific religious beliefs. The rise of Christian nationalism within conservative Christianity has contributed to this alignment.
The Relationship Between Religion and Politics
The podcast explores the changing dynamics of the relationship between religion and politics, particularly within the Evangelical Christian community. Religion is becoming more of a political label, while church attendance is declining. The media landscape and the rise of online platforms have also played a role in blending religious beliefs with political discourse. This changing landscape has significant implications for the upcoming primaries and the wider political landscape.
For decades, Evangelicals have propped up Republican presidents. And while church attendance has fallen across the board, Evangelicals are still making waves politically; they just helped deliver Trump a historic win in the Iowa caucus. But the political bent of Evangelicals begs for closer inspection because white Americans who align with Trump are more likely to start identifying as Evangelical, even if some of them no longer sit up in the pews. NPR Political Correspondent Sarah McCammon joins the show to dig into host Brittany Luse's question: are Evangelicals now a religious group or a political one?
Then, after calls for a ceasefire interrupted President Biden's speech at Mother Emanuel AME Church, many people denounced the protest saying that it was not the right time or place. But Brittany wonders; if not there, then where? She sits down with Dr. Anthea Butler, religious scholar and chair of the department of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, to dive into the roots of political activism within the Black church. They also look at the complicated relationship between Democrats and the Black church.