Political divides in church focus of new study

By Bob Smietana

NASHVILLE (BP) — America has become increasingly divided by politics in recent years. So have its Protestant churches, according to a study released Aug. 23.

More than half (57 percent) of Protestant churchgoers under 50 say they prefer to go to church with people who share their political views. And few adult Protestant churchgoers say they attend services with people of a different political persuasion.

Those are among the findings in a new report on churchgoing and politics, conducted Aug. 22–30, 2017, by LifeWay Research.

"Like many places in America, churches are divided by politics," said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. "And churchgoers under 50 seem to want it that way."

Political divide

For the study, LifeWay Research surveyed 1,010 Americans who attend services at least once a month at a Protestant or nondenominational church.

Forty-six percent agree with the statement, "I prefer to attend a church where people share my political views." Forty-two percent disagree. Twelve percent are not sure.

More than half (57 percent) of churchgoers ages 18 to 49 agree. Fewer churchgoers ages 50 to 64 (39 percent) or ages 65 and over (33 percent) agree. Men (51 percent) are more likely to agree than women (43 percent).

Methodist (57 percent), nondenominational (51 percent), and Baptist (49 percent) churchgoers are more likely to agree than churchgoers from other denominations. Lutherans (33 percent) are less likely to agree.

"Only a third of churchgoers in the study had strong feelings on this subject," McConnell said. Twelve percent strongly agree, while 22 percent strongly disagree.

"Politics doesn't seem to be a high priority for most Protestants when choosing a church to attend," he said. "But for a small group of churchgoers, it's really crucial."

Ages 35-49 more likely to agree

LifeWay Research also asked Protestant churchgoers if their political views match those of people in their church. Half agree (51 percent), while 19 percent disagree and 30 percent are uncertain.

Churchgoers ages 35 to 49 (61 percent) are more likely to agree than those ages 50 to 64 (47 percent) or those 65 and older (44 percent). Men (58 percent) are more likely to agree than women (46 percent). Those who attend services at least once a week (52 percent) are more likely to agree than those who attend once or twice a month (43 percent).

American churchgoers who hold evangelical beliefs (57 percent) are more likely to agree their political views match others in their church, compared to those who don't hold evangelical beliefs (44 percent). Baptist (58 percent), nondenominational (54 percent) and Assemblies of God/Pentecostal (53 percent) churchgoers are more likely to agree. Lutherans (31 percent) are less likely.

Protestant churchgoers and other Americans who attend worship services at least once a month made up about half of voters (52 percent) in the 2016 presidential election, according to data from Pew Research.

Churchgoers might stick around even if they disagree over politics.

A previous LifeWay Research study of Protestant and nondenominational churchgoers found only 1 in 10 (9 percent) would consider leaving their church over political views.

"More than a few churchgoers in the most recent study (30 percent) don't know the political views of people besides them in the pews," McConnell said.

"Politics isn't the only thing that churchgoers care about," he said. "In some churches, politics isn't mentioned at all – at least in the pews."

Bob Smietana is senior writer at Facts & Trends (factsandtrends.net) of LifeWay Christian Resources.