SEPT. 15, 2003

ELECTIONS
Religion vs. values in the voting booth

Religion seems destined to influence 2003 and 2004 elections. But as candidates, incumbents and religious leaders talk more about what role faith plays in government, some experts say what matters most to voters is candidates' values - and whether they practice what they preach.

There are several reasons religion might be expected to become a larger factor in elections: high-profile court rulings involving religion, from the Ten Commandments to the Pledge of Allegiance to gay sex; the Bush Administration's emphasis on faith-based initiatives; the Vatican's plea for U.S. legislators to vote according to official Catholic teachings; and dustups over the religious views of politicians such as federal appeals court candidate and Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Yet studies have shown that religion has lessened as a factor in voting behavior, while ethnic and racial voting solidarity has remained fairly strong. John Green, director of the Bliss Institute at the University of Akron, says voter support of a candidate now has less to do with his or her religious affiliation and more to do with beliefs and practices. As divisions deepen among the liberal and conservative wings of religious groups, Green said it's increasingly likely that, for example, a conservative Catholic would vote for a Protestant fundamentalist candidate because of shared positions on issues such as abortion.

Consistent values seem to trump religious beliefs, says Laura Olson, political science professor at Clemson University in South Carolina. Tim Hutchinson, a former U.S. senator from Arkansas, lost his re-election bid in 2002 after he divorced his wife and married a young staff member while promoting a pro-family platform. Arnold Schwarzenegger has never promoted himself as a moral beacon, so of his past sex life may not upset voters in the California recall election.

Questions for reporters
• As election campaigns heat up, talk to voters about what they want to hear about candidates' faith and values. Which are more important? Are they more likely to vote for a candidate if they are part of the same faith tradition? Do they want candidates to be religious? Do they expect candidates to follow the official teachings of their faith?
• Are candidates making religious affiliations or beliefs a prominent part of their campaigns? Or are reference to faith more general, as in, "In God we trust?"
• What issues are local religious groups and leaders concerned with in election campaigns? Do they have any influence on candidates?
• What are some examples in your city or state in which a politician's career was hurt by not practicing what he preached, or was helped by remaining true to whatever beliefs?
• In this election, is the state of the economy, locally and nationally, of greater consideration for voters than a candidate's values?

Why it Matters
As efforts by some groups to make religion a greater part of government grow, Americans are being made more aware of the role religion plays in candidates' lives. Religion and politics can be a dangerous mix, especially if it results in some faiths being favored over others, but experts warn that politics that are not informed by religious values can be equally dangerous, if it results in concerns about social justice and human rights being ignored.

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National sources

• John Green is a specialist on religion and politics at the Bliss Institute at the University of Akron and a co-author of The Diminishing Divide: Religion's Changing Role in American Politics (Brookings Institution, 2000). Contact 330-972-6295, green@uakron.edu.
• Laura R. Olson is political science professor at Clemson University in South Carolina and co-editor of Christian Clergy In American Politics (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001). Contact 864-656-3233, laurao@clemson.edu.
• Alan Wolfe is a professor of political science at Boston College and director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life there. Contact 617-552-1862 or 617-552-4160, alan.wolfe.1@bc.edu.
• William D'Antonio is professor at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He follows the Catholic Church's role in U.S. politics. Contact 202-319-5911, dantonio@cua.edu.
• Anna Greenberg is a political science professor at Harvard University. During a two-year period, she studied Protestant and Catholic churches in Chicago and Boston and says that churches help in the process of politicizing citizens. Contact anna_greenberg@harvard.edu.
• Louis Sandy Maisel is a political science professor at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and co-editor of the book Jews in American Politics (Rowman & Littlefield, 2001). The book looks at the role of Jewish political party leaders, the historical voting patterns of Jews and the political role of Jewish women. Contact 207-872-3271, lsmaisel@colby.edu.
• Sidique Wai is president of the United African Congress, based in New York City. He ran for the New York City Council in 2001. Last year, he participated in a forum on Muslim involvement in American politics at an event co-sponsored by the Interfaith Center of New York and the Imams Council of New York. Contact 212-685-2848.

Background

• Read a Sept. 2, 2003, article about whether judicial nominees are being judged by their religious faith by Jay Sekulow of the American Center for Law & Justice.
• Read a July 24, 2003, poll from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life that looks at religion in politics. Among the findings:

• Forty-one percent of those polled believe politicians express too little faith and religion. • A 62 percent majority thinks President Bush strikes the right balance in how much he mentions his religious faith, and 58 percent believe that the president's reliance on religion in forming policy is appropriate. • Nearly six in 10 say their religious beliefs seldom, if ever, affect their voting decisions.

• Read an article on Zogby International's web site that includes excerpts of a report co-authored by pollster John Zogby. The report looks at the role values are playing in politics.