Associated Press
Vice President Kamala Harris is a Baptist who was influenced by religious traditions in her mother’s home country of India.
Former President Donald Trump grew up a mainline Presbyterian but began identifying as a nondenominational Christian near the end of his presidency.
Despite that, few Americans see the presidential candidates as particularly Christian, according to a new survey conducted Sept. 12-16 by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. Only 14% of U.S. adults say the word “Christian” describes Harris or Trump “extremely” or “very” well.
Strikingly, that appears to matter little to part of Trump’s loyal base: white evangelical Protestants. About 7 in 10 members of this group view him favorably. But only about half say Trump best represents their beliefs — around 1 in 10 say this about Harris, and one-third say neither candidate represents their religious beliefs — and around 2 in 10 say “Christian” describes him extremely or very well.
“They really don’t care about, is he religious or not,” said R. Marie Griffith, a religion and politics professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
The survey results represent the shift in how white evangelicals now talk about morality and religion in politics, said Griffith. She pointed to a white evangelical culture that takes care of its own, but sees liberal outsiders as evil, and therefore, support for a Democrat is unimaginable to many.
At the Republican National Convention, Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a conservative Christian and Trump’s former White House press secretary, invoked God when she addressed the first assassination attempt against him.
“God Almighty intervened because America is one nation under God, and he is certainly not finished with President Trump,” she said. “And our country is better for it.”
Anthea Butler, professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, said white evangelicals likely see him as instrumental to their goals, such as his appointment of conservative, anti-abortion justices to the Supreme Court.
“He’s their guy no matter what,” said Butler.
For the head of the Democratic ticket, a large majority — three-quarters — of Harris’ fellow Black Protestants view her favorably and 6 in 10 say she best represents their religious beliefs. But only around 4 in 10 say “Christian” describes her very or extremely well. That’s still higher than the share of Democrats overall who think this about Harris, at around one-quarter.
Butler is not surprised that esteem for Trump is low among Black Protestants, and that they are more likely to see Harris, a Baptist with influences from the spiritual tradition of her mother’s native India, as Christian.
“I think African Americans have a better understanding about interfaith families, because it happens a lot with us,” she said.
Griffith questioned if one reason so few Americans see Harris as particularly Christian, is because they just don’t know much about her yet. Harris joined the race late, becoming the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden was pressured to step away in July.
The Black Church PAC, a progressive group, is now trying to mobilize voters for Harris. On a recent online discussion hosted by the PAC, the Rev. Traci Blackmon, a Missouri-based United Church of Christ minister, encouraged pastors to ask every Sunday for congregants to pull out their phones and check their voter registration status, and to prepare to use the church bus to give rides to the polls.
“Kamala Harris is not perfect – no one is perfect. But what she is, is competent. What she is, is prepared. What she is, is qualified. … What she is, is she’s faithful to the things she says she will do and courageous enough to say what she won’t do,” said Blackmon.
Neither candidate fared particularly well when Americans were asked if they’d use the words “honest” or “moral” to describe them. Around one-third say those words describe Harris extremely or very well, and about 15% say the same for Trump. Adding in those who say the words “somewhat” describe the candidates raises the levels to more than half for Harris and about one-third for Trump.
“I wonder if (it) speaks to just a deep cynicism about politics – that people are really so convinced that all politicians are liars,” said Griffith.
The poll of 2,028 adults was conducted September 12-16, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
33 comments
A Day without Satan
September 22, 2024 at 10:27 am
Trump is a White Supremacy Demon,who MAGA worship at his altar, Trump openly mock Christian,say religion is a scam,those who profess to be Christian and support Trump are no better than a non believer,they do not believe in Jesus as their savior,but Trump even their Bible caution Christian Google Be ye not unequally yoked together with the unbeliever Google Trump Marble Collegiate Church Trump Google Trump Mock Religion
Bill
September 22, 2024 at 10:59 am
Nobody cares about your invisible friends and Sunday book clubs, or theirs either for that matter. Take it somewhere else.
The Cat In The MAGA Hat
September 22, 2024 at 1:54 pm
I am.a believer in the laws of probability,not religion
rick whitaker
September 23, 2024 at 11:21 am
A DAY WIOTHOUT SATAN, there is no god or satan you fool.
Tropical Storm Helene
September 23, 2024 at 11:57 am
Trump is the Satan
Bobblehead Kammy
September 22, 2024 at 10:54 am
Don’t care 🤷 f they are religious or not. The above poster has TDS and Kammy still can’t think on her feet. Nodding, bobbling, giggling mess she is
Ocean Joe
September 22, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Impeach, watch that debate again. Could you debate Trump? He wiped out 16 leading Republicans back in 2016. He did OK in 2020, and he was extremely disciplined as Biden melted into senility, but he got his clock cleaned from the moment she went over and forced him to shake her hand.
My point, contrary to the experts, Trump usually turns in a pretty good performance, loose with the facts but quick with the zingers. He got his ears boxed repeatedly by Mamala.
Bobblehead Kammy
September 22, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Yes Kamala knocked him out. I have acknowledged that multiple times. It leads me to believe though that her team received the debate questions in advance as she has really struggled in the two most recent sit downs. That is why her handlers are protecting her.
rick whitaker
September 22, 2024 at 2:24 pm
MAGA MARK, that’s awful weak of you to claim she cheated just because she won. that sounds like emotional bs to me. then of course you are very emotional and not too rational. no she hasn’t struggled lately, that is just a maga talking point. you know, the maga talking points you pass off as truths, those talking points. she doesn’t need handlers, trump and vance sure do.
The Cat In The MAGA Hat
September 22, 2024 at 2:57 pm
Trump called religion bs,and those who believe in religion gullible
Ocean Joe
September 22, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Trump may have said that, but I’ve always thought that.
Bobblehead Kammy
September 22, 2024 at 7:53 pm
Easy on the Kammy kool-aid zombie. You obviously have not watched her Oprah lowlights and the Pennsylvania word salad. Snap out of it. You have amnesia.
rick whitaker
September 23, 2024 at 11:46 am
MAGA MARK, your opinions of harris are laughable. your like a little kid that got scolded by the teacher, they lash out. you lash out all the time. you are a punk’s punk for sure. the name maga mark fits you so well.
Michael K
September 22, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Some people just refuse to believe that any woman who worked hard all of her life can achieve prominence and success. They cannot believe that a woman could possibly be well prepared for a debate.
Meanwhile, they believe a person who inherited hundreds of millions of dollars and was repeatedly bailed out by his rich daddy. Trump is only an illusion of wealth, and has never been accountable to anyone – and is in it only to enrich himself.
Trump showed himself to be a senile old man, unable to control his lizard brain emotion or articulate a single coherent thought on that debate stage. Repeating a baseless, vile lie to a national audience of 70 million Americans shows how little he respects this nation and her people.
In any normal universe, this would be disqualifying behavior. This is how low the MAGA cult has sunk.
Ron
September 22, 2024 at 7:08 pm
Any fool can dabble in overheated generalizations. A few people may believe as you suggest, but many more believe this woman in particular in unqualified in terms of intellectual preparation, learning or experience to engage in the 21st Century dialectic necessary for global goal setting or program design. She has shown no commitment to any goal except personal advancement, and she has not yet demonstrated the temperance of thought that is required or a mature life. She’s not up to it.
Michael K
September 22, 2024 at 9:21 pm
Unqualified?
She has a lifetime of public service as in the most populous state in the union as:
Prosecuting attorney.
Elected District Attorney
Elected Attorney General
Elected US Senator
Elected Vice US President
She transformed a political party and presidential campaign in 3 months. She’s met with 150 world leaders. And she had the courage to look her opponent in the eye to say what she had to say to his face. He cowered in fear.
Unqualified? Her opponent was fired by 81 million Americans. She was never impeached, never filed for bankruptcy, was never adjudicated for sexual abuse, never convicted of a felony, and never incited an insurrection.
The Vice President has the qualifications, credentials, temperament and strength to serve You may not like the idea of Madame President, but she is highly qualified, and knows the job.
Tom
September 23, 2024 at 7:16 am
Sounds more like trump to me but he gets a pass because he’s a moron I guess. This sane-washing is insane … well that’s my concept of a plan at least.
rick whitaker
September 23, 2024 at 11:17 am
RON it’s official, you are a fool. nothing you said was valid, nothing. go soak your maga head dude.
Bobblehead Kammy
September 22, 2024 at 9:19 pm
You zombies always defend your person to the bitter end. Never ever point out their obvious weaknesses. Just like Joe with everyone saying he was fine, alert, sharp, focused, etc.
rick whitaker
September 23, 2024 at 11:09 am
MAGA MARK , remember, you are a maga supporter, you’all defend the orange turd. you are a joke with no punch line
Tom
September 23, 2024 at 12:01 pm
And you crap all over the opposition, which is fine, but think your own guy is crap as well. Why do you even bother? I guess owing the libs or whatever is still a thing.
Tropical Storm Helene
September 22, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Name one thing you see redeeming in Trump ,you cannot find anything redeeming about yourself probably, willingly to be misled,by the way a tropical storm is headed to Florida by Friday
Michael K
September 22, 2024 at 10:59 am
I see nothing even remotely approaching or reflecting, the practice of any faith tradition or moral grounding with the former president. Everything with him is purely transactional. And I would argue that “evangelicals” are now a political, not a religious wing of “Christianity.” Tim Alberta wrote an excellent book on this subject.
I’m not sure why this is solely focused on “Christianity.” America is home to all faith traditions, as most of our founders who were Deists, recognized. It is important for a president to hold some basic moral values – such as belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every person – and a sense of responsibility, stewardship, honesty, and humility — consistent with a commitment to public service. Leading by example (especially to young people) also comes to mind.
But I reject the idea of any politician forcing their religious beliefs on everyone else, and the forces of white Christian nationalism in American politics.
KathrynA
September 22, 2024 at 12:46 pm
There is nothing Christian about Trump or his family or many of his associates (note Mark Robinson!). All he wants is everyone to worship at his feet. The immorality alone in his life is staggering and corruption might be even higher.
THE SAGE "E" [FKA ELVIS FKA EARL]
September 22, 2024 at 1:02 pm
BUZZ … BUZZ … BUZZ … BUZZ:
The “E” Political Science Division interupts your Sunday to advise that the above artical is an A. P. article full of “DEVISIVE DOOK 4 BRAINS LEFTIST” Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics.
America the “E” Political Science Division, advises you to pay no attention to the above Devisive of “Dook 4 Brains Leftism” and instead Relax Your Political Sphimcters and have a wonderful Sunday.
Thank you, “E”
BUZZ … BUZZ … BUZZ … BUZZ:
You are now being returned to your regularly scheduled programing.
rick whitaker
September 22, 2024 at 2:29 pm
EARL, admit it, you love the AP. if it wasn’t for them you wouldn’t have nearly as much to rant like a lunatic about.
Pete
September 24, 2024 at 10:12 pm
@Earl Another tropical 2 ocean tornado is coming you stupid bastard
THE SAGE "E" [FKA ELVIS FKA EARL]
September 22, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Thanks, “R”,
“E”
rick whitaker
September 22, 2024 at 5:02 pm
EARL, yeah, right. whatever dude.
"E" Ron & Casey's Official "Unofficial" 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager"
September 22, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Great news my Besty Lefty, Rick,
I, The Sage “E” have just accepted employment as Ron & Casey’s Official “Unofficial” 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager”
Just keeping my Besty Lefty “In The Loop”,
“E” The Sage Ron & Casey’s Official “Unofficial” 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager”
"E" Ron & Casey's Official "Unofficial" 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager"
September 22, 2024 at 9:55 pm
Rick just so you know I have already put in your name as my top choice to both Don, Ron, and the Increadably Beautiful Casey (who will be our 1st Female POTUS after Ron serves out his 2nd term in 2036) for your Sage appointment as our Sage Administration’s “DOOK 4 BRAINS LEFTIST CZAR”.
Rick its a natural for you as you are the only one that understands The Illogical and Self Distruction Characteristics of “The Dook 4 Brains Leftist Thought Process”.
Now it will be a “Real Job” unlike Kammies Fake Border Czar job.
Your “Besty Righty”
“E” Ron & Casey’s Official “Unofficial” 2028 POTUS Campaign Manager”
rick whitaker
September 23, 2024 at 11:14 am
EARL, i wouldn’t give that phony casey bitch a second look. if she thinks desantis is good enough to marry, then she is a POS. earl you live in your head. i’d get out of there if i was you.
George
September 24, 2024 at 10:11 pm
If you think Trump is religious then I have a submarine with screen doors to sell your dumbass.