Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The largest religious group among Democrats? 'None.'
In a recent study by the Pew Research Center on religion, it was found that the largest religious affiliation among Democrats is actually no religious affiliation at all. This number has increased by 10% since Pew conducted the same study a few years ago. The most common affiliation among Republicans is evangelical Protestants, and that number has only increased by 1% since the last study was conducted. The main reason why these trends are occurring is because the younger generation tends not to affiliate themselves with a religion and tends to be Democratic. As we read in the article about Red and Blue America, this article also mentions the distinct differences between the two. Do you think they are accurate? Does it make sense that people who do not associate with a religion are most often Democrats? Why do you think religion has such a large influence on whether someone is a Democrat or a Republican?
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These statements appear to be fairly accurate. Those living in urban areas seem to be more accept ion of change, perhaps because they live in more diverse areas. This then leads to a decrease in the religious traditionalism and the willingness to accept help and put trust in a larger government. The conservatives tend to stick to their religious roots, even in the young people. The ties to a political party relate to the political culture of the areas, as we discussed in the homework article. The conservatives in general tend to value community and the liberals tend to value individualism.
ReplyDeleteOur generation definitely seems to be either unaffiliated with a certain religion or not orthodox about their religious views. We also seem to be more accepting of differences (LGBTQA community, minorities, etc.) - now my perception could be biased as I live in a very liberal and Democrat area, but from what I can tell from traveling and social media, we are more liberal than previous generations - definitely not all liberal, simply more.
ReplyDeleteAs for religion's influence on party choice, I believe it has to do with geography. As we read in the article about Red and Blue America, Red America is usually more conservative, Blue more liberal. More liberal communities also seem to be more accepting of not only various religions but also people who are agnostic and atheist. Therefore, religion could influence people's party choice indirectly, as a factor of where they live and not a conscious choice.
These statements about Red and Blue America are pretty accurate. It makes sense that more religiously unaffiliated people are Democrats. Blue America is associated with more urban areas, where the population is more culturally and ethnically diverse, creates a melting pot of different ideas and beliefs (and religious beliefs). In contrast, Red America is more rural, and is mostly white, so there is less diversity in culture (mostly Christian). Religion does have a large impact on political affiliation. A religions usually establishes beliefs and morals in people, and based on these morals people will gravitate towards one party or another one. Ex. Many Christians tend to be Republican because their conservative beliefs are aligned with those of the Republican Party.
ReplyDeleteThe statements on Red and Blue America seem to represent American fairly accurately. Our generation is definitely unaffiliated with a specific religion and not orthodox with their views on religion. There has been more acceptance in the differences in our society as the years go on. Those living in urban areas are more accepting of change (Blue America), where the population is more culturally diverse. Compared to Blue America, Red America is more rural and religion does play a major role in a person's beliefs and decisions. Considering all of that, it does make sense how people who do not associate are most often Democrats. Religion definitely has a large influence on whether someone is a Democrat or Republican. As I was reading through the article, you could tell that religion does have a large impact on political affiliation. Religion gives people beliefs and morals to follow, and based off those beliefs, people will make their decision on what party they think they belong in becasue of that.
ReplyDeleteAll generalizations are flawed; however, they exist for a reason. The Red and Blue America stereotypes (while not always accurate) exist due to the fact that they seem to be accurate more often than not. Democrats tend to be less religious because, in my opinion, religions tend to value long-standing traditions and norms. Therefore, those who adhere to a religion would tend to be more conservative in their views. I also believe that religion has a large influence on politics because politics has become increasingly focused on social issues. These social issues tend to be very polarizing for religious people, and therefore cause religious people to become more politically active.
ReplyDeleteThis statement certainly appears to be fairly accurate. Many who do not affiliate themselves with a particular religion tend to go Democrat because the Republican Party seems to only attempt to appeal to Christians. Evidence of this can be found in many of the statements current GOP frontrunners have made in their addresses to Republican voters. They almost appear to be trying to compete to see who can be the most religious, creating a sense that their party is exclusive only to those who are as fanatic about their religion as their furthest right voters. To many non-religious people, such diametrically opposing views can have polarizing effects, essentially creating a reaction that causes a shift to Democratic tendencies, because Republican ideals appear to associate too closely to religion.
ReplyDeleteBased on the data we've seen so far, it seems that the statements are relatively accurate. I think that it does make sense that most often those who do not identify as being part of a specific religious group do most often identify as Democrats. When you look at religion, in general, it requires a very "hive-mind" mentality. This is in direct opposition to the hypothesis presented in the reading about Red and Blue Americas, which offered the idea that "blue" Americans are more focused on individuality. So it seems reasonable that people who do not want to be part of an organized religion wouldn't want to be part of a political party which is largely driven by religion. I agree with Andrew when he says that politics and religion have become so closely tied because politics has become so focused on social issues, which religious people often feel very strongly about.
ReplyDeleteThis all sounds very accurate compared to other data we know about Democratic and Republican America. I myself know many young people who don't really associate with a religion and they tend to be more liberal. I think this might come from the more well known fact of Republican being more evangelical Christians and Democrats being more secular. With these in mind religious views are often handed down form parents, as are political views so that might explain why there is such a correlation between the two.
ReplyDeleteI think the statements are fairly accurate. Although it's stereotypical, it holds true for the most part. It does make sense that secular people who don't associate with a religion are mostly Democrats because their views for the most part are more liberal and progressive than the traditional views of the Republicans which rarely change. I think religion has such a large and greater influence on whether someone is a Democrat or Republican especially now as we incorporate more issues into the political agenda. A lot of the main issues and culture war ideas are affected by religion (or a lack thereof) by nature and thus causes large distinctions between the two opposite ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think the differences between Red and Blue America are relatively accurate. It makes sense that people who don’t affiliate themselves with a religion tend to be democratic. Democrats have more liberal views than Republicans, who have more traditional views. There typically seem to be many more churches in Red America, even though it’s more rural and has a smaller population than Blue America which is mostly urban. Younger people today seem to be less religious, which leads to more supporting the Democratic party.
ReplyDeleteThe influence of religion in politics has been increasing since many of the issues faced today are social and “culture war” issues. These social issues draw more religious people into politics.
Religious affiliation is a clear and concise difference between Red and Blue America. As we saw last week, after the Civil Rights Movement, Democrats became the party of civil rights and overall progressives. A lot of civil rights and progressive views conflict with orthodox views upheld by religion. So, naturally, heavily religious folk will shift to the right. In addition to all this, younger people are regarded as more liberal than previous generations. Younger generations like to have their own opinions, they don't like being told what to do and how to live. Those are two purposes of religion. Thus justifying a shift from religion in the younger generations. The Democratic party simply welcomes the newcomers with open arms.
ReplyDeleteBased on the data and what was said in the article I agree that the younger generations lean more to the left and the democratic side of things. A reason for this could be we were not influenced like our parents were. Most adults went to catholic schools or went to church with their parents so when it came time to register of course they put down whatever they did as a kid. A reason for the younger generation to lean more to left is because most of the generation is open to change and the opportunity to choose for yourself (Gay marriage, Pro choice)
ReplyDeleteIt’s a logical connection to make between people who don’t associate with a religion and democrats. Statistics show that many democrats don’t affiliate themselves with a religious group. This makes sense because people without religious ties usually express a more progressive and liberal view which coincides with democrats. I think religion has more of an effect on republicans than democrats. Republicans decision to become republicans is heavily influenced by their religious beliefs, while democrats are commonly democrats without any effect on whether or not they are religious or not.
ReplyDeleteI would say it is fairly accurate. Religion tends to influence people to be very conservative, because it promotes ideas such as sexual purity and gender roles. While church and state should be kept separate, one's upbringing has a lot to do with what their views are, and it would make sense for one who is very religious to be a Republican because most religions and Republican ideology align. Obviously, religion is not the only factor in determining what someone's political views are, but I'm just saying for the purposes of this discussion. However, it does not always have to be the case; I think anyone who knows I exist knows that I'm conservative (not a Republican, though), however I am not religious. My aunt was a Democrat and a devout Catholic. So obviously some exceptions do exist, but overall I think it is fair to say that religious views correlate strongly with political views and because of the ideologies of different religions and political groups, those who are religious tend to be Republican and those who are not tend to be Democrats.
ReplyDelete