Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama prays during a services at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in this Oct. 31, 2004 file photo. (Nam Y. Huh/AP/File)
Gains for Obama among people of faith
He wins backing of 6 in 10 people who attend religious services once or twice a month, a gain for Democrats since 2004, new survey finds.
By Jane Lampman | October 8, 2008 edition
The Democratic Party’s outreach to young people and to people of faith seems to be paying off.
A new survey on faith and American politics shows Democratic nominee Barack Obama making inroads among some believers and moving ahead of Republican John McCain among Roman Catholics, largely because of young Catholics’ support.
In the biggest shift over the past four years, Senator Obama now wins the backing of 60 percent of voters who attend religious services once or twice a month, a jump from the 49 percent the Democratic nominee won in 2004.
Senator McCain holds the advantage only among the highly religious who attend once or more a week. Moreover, more Americans say Obama is more friendly to religion than is McCain (49 to 46 percent), an image booster for a party long seen as not particularly faith-friendly.
The survey titled “The Young and the Faithful” was released Wednesday by Faith in Public Life and was conducted by Public Religion Research (PRR). It involved interviews with a representative sample of 2,000 Americans and an oversample of 1,250 young people ages 18 to 34.
As the first close look at the political views of young people during the 2008 campaign, the survey confirms their focus on a broader agenda and reveals a generation gap on several issues.
“Younger Americans, including young Americans of faith, are not the culture-war generation,” says Robert Jones, president of PRR. “There is a kind of cosmopolitan worldview.”
For instance, young adults are more open to religious diversity and cooperation, they are less likely to say that one has to believe in God to be moral, and they believe good diplomacy rather than military strength is the best way to promote peace, says Dr. Jones.
The generation gap is striking in several areas. Young voters are much more inclined to support a larger government that provides more services (57 percent versus 45 percent of the overall population). That’s true within every faith tradition, but young Catholics stand out as the most pro-government constituency of all (67 percent favor more government services).
Young adults support government involvement most in regard to helping the poor and the environment. But Catholics and Evangelicals also favor a government role in “protecting morality.”
At the same time, young adults show greater support for keeping abortion legal than do Americans overall (58 to 50 percent). Catholics and white Evangelicals differ here, however, with 60 percent of young Catholics backing legal abortion and 67 percent of Evangelicals opposed. Yet two-thirds of young Evangelicals say they’d consider voting for a candidate who disagrees with them on abortion.
On the hot-button issue of same-sex marriage, the generation gap is great and growing. Forty-six percent of young people support the right of gays to marry, and an additional 22 percent back civil unions. Among the overall population the figures are 29 and 28 percent, respectively. Younger white Evangelicals are 2.5 times more likely to support same-sex marriage than are white evanglicals as a whole.
Overall, Americans young and old ranked abortion and same-sex marriage at the bottom of their list of issues most important to their vote, with the economy, energy, and healthcare at the top.
Given these perspectives, there is perhaps little surprise that Obama has a 24-percentage-point advantage among young adults, leading McCain by 59 to 35 percent. Among first-time voters, he holds a commanding lead of 71 percent to 23 percent.
“Younger believers – including Catholics and white evangelicals – are significantly more supportive of bigger government and expanding diplomatic efforts abroad,” says D. Michael Lindsay, assistant professor of sociology at Rice University in Houston. “It may very well be that in this election, the conventional wisdom about ‘values voters’ – who they are and what they want – gets turned on its head.”
Despite the young Evangelicals’ broader agenda and the fact that only 49 percent call themselves conservative, they remain the one group of young adults not showing strong support for Obama. In fact, McCain leads among young white Evangelicals 65 percent to 29 percent.
Comments
2. Guy | 10.09.08
I read posts like Alexandra’s, and I see what the right wing political machine has done to citizens over the last 30 years: Twisted the meaning of Socialism to include even nominal capitalists, like Obama, Kerry, Carter, Clinton, et al … all in an effort to demonize them as heathen socialists.
To support public education, job training, food stamps, housing assistance and the like, is not ’socialism’ : It is ‘promoting the general welfare’ ….
Socialism is the direct government ownership of the means of production … In NO WAY does ‘Promoting the general welfare’ equate with government ownership of the means of production.
It is unfortunate that government has to pick up the pieces and care for the discards of raw capitalism by providing relief when it is necessary. If Capitalism were perfect: There would be no discarded human beings, and no need to provide food, shelter and clothing to those who need them.
I have been a hard working liberal all my life, and ALL the liberals I know have been hard working and productive members of society. I don’t want government ownership of all means of production, but I DO want my fellow citizens to succeed. The current debacle is the expected result of what people like Alexandra have asked for and received in this nation: Control of the marketplace by raw capitalism. Without consideration of families and individual needs: Capitalism will ALWAYS fail ….
Without families and individuals BUYING GOODS, there would be no business .. no revenues … and no profits for capitalists to enjoy …
The Democratic party IS capitalist …. To say they are not is to repeat a lie …..
It is these lies that have twisted the body politic into what we see today: A sad sad man spewing lies and innuendos to try and tear a good man down … just like they have done the last 30 years ….
Thanks to raw capitalism: That era is over ….
The old adage: “Give the Republicans enough rope ….”, has never been truer …
3. Myke | 10.09.08
Do you have faith in our country? Obama won’t salute our flag. He has ridiculed our Bible. His mentor that he writes about in his first book was an admitted communist and was under constant obverstation by the FBI. He was also a pornographer. He sat it and let his children sit in a church where the Rev Wright preached hate for whites, while all around him his congregation urged him on. Obama was a part of that congregation for 17 yrs. He sat on two boards with Ayres, the terrorist, at first saying he barely knew him. He funneled money to ACORN and in turn got money back from them as campaign donations. All of this is documented and true. All you have to do is look it up. His college has sealed all his records, including his thesis.Why. What is he scared of? What is it he doesn’t want us to know?
Stand up for your country. Make Obama explain all this. Make him show his college records. Make him quit lying about his relations with Ayres, Wright and Farakhan. We deserve to know the truth about a man running for President of out country.
4. walterrhett, Charleston, SC | 10.09.08
Alexandra, how so you know it if it has been overlooked by the media? Let’s talk about what is overlooked: Ayers is a child of priviledge, the son of a former president of Commonwealth Edison, Chicao power utility. Ayers is emplyed as a University Professor, is a national known and respected school reformer, and lives in Chicago. Socialist? 700 billion bail-out, 10 billion monthly to fund no bid contracts, czar powers for a Treasury Secretary who divides up the assets of major financial instutitions on the weekends, hundreds held w/out indictments or trails, aren’t these the earmarks of socialism, and aren’t they the products and policies of Republicans led by Bush? Isn’t the latest of McCain’s proposals–buying mortgages–full blown socialism, government intrusion into markets, government ownership of the mortgage for your house? As Barack said, “Enough!” Barack is not a communist, never was, does salute the flag (seen in hundred of video clips) and has never, never ridiclued the book of his faith. These claims are circulating furiously, but they are ALL untrue.
5. Melissa | 10.09.08
I wonder what these people who hate Obama means.
It is moral and christian to provided food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, healthcare for the disable or those that need them, education for those that can not afford so that they can bring themselves closer to god by reading god’s truth in the bible by their own free will.
Obama is not a socialist, he is a christian and he fellows in a christian footstrap.
We are all children of god, and as the epitle James said in the new testement,
Speak not evil of your brother. who are you that speak evil of him? there are only on law giver, who create and destroyed, and that is god.
6. Djd714 | 10.09.08
walterrhett, among many claims you make is one that is strange and unsupported. You make many claims about OBAMA and your rosy picture may be true but I for instance cannot find a single video of Obama actually saluting the flag.
Can you dirsect those of us who are skeptical of this and other claims or denials made by you. Exactly where is JUST ONE such video?
7. Djd714 | 10.09.08
walterrhett, among many claims you make is one that is strange and unsupported. You make many claims about OBAMA and your rosy picture may be true but I for instance cannot find a single video of Obama actually saluting the flag.
Can you dirsect those of us who are skeptical of this and other claims or denials made by you. Exactly where is JUST ONE such video?
8. Brad Stockham | 10.09.08
The survey should have been titled The “Young and the Ignorant.” They are not faithful to the commands of God. Abortion on demand is immoral. There may be certain circumstances such as rape and incest where abortion may be ethically right. But other than that, irresponsible behavior and the murder of an unborn child is wrong.
Those who believe the economy is more important than moral issues have chosen to idolize money. “Love of money is the root of all evil” (I Timothy 6:10). If it wasn’t for the kidnapping of the Democratic Party by the degenerate special interest groups I probably would vote democratic.
9. Chris Anderson | 10.09.08
I don’t know if I can envision Jesus telling a woman who was raped to abort her unborn child. I’m pretty sure he would comfort the woman. Jesus taught us to forget about ourselves. He never commanded us to force others to do so, just ourselves. In other words stop putting yourself first. Even in the case of rape or incest. Is murder the next logical step? Anyone heard of adoption agencies? For those who try to distort the idea of turning the other cheek when mentioning war think about this. If you were walking down the street and saw someone being beaten by another, what would Christ say you should do? Not take up arms? Walk on and forget it? You should turn your own cheek yes, but defend others when possible. Perhaps you won’t have to, but be prepared to defend others. Republicans are in no way perfect but why are Democrats clinging to their folly and government? Jesus wanted us to take care of each other ourselves. Unfortunately we abondon people and expect the government to pick up the tab. Imagine all the money religious people pour into their places to worship. What if that money was focused on taking care of the needy. Is the government really your hope? Even if you don’t believe in God, do you really trust a massive group of flawed humans to do what’s best? Does it not alarm you that you may be siding with the likes of Madonna and Rosy? I’ll say one thing plainly, I totally agree with separation of church and state, our country would be nuts if flawed religious people ran things. However I do demand a moral government. Why can’t common people take care of other people? I’ll say it again take care of your neighbor so they won’t have to cling to the government. It’s our fault this is happening. I wonder if we deserve to suffer under the yoke of an oppressive government for a while. I hate thinking that way, I wish we could come up with really great solutions at the grassroots level to alleviate oppression before turning to government. It’s true people should care for others, but I believe the government is not the correct mechanism to achieve this through. Sorry for the rant, of course you are free to agree or disagree. I just wish people would look to other ways to help the needy. Be creative. We can do it. Think it over.
10. janie | 10.10.08
chris
sure . . . let’s just leave it up to “the people” to help take care of families whom our government is failing. are you kidding?! if YOU were one of those families who could not afford food or shelter for your children, how would YOU feel? would you want to just trust and hope that some random person would notice you and give you the help you desperately need? your perspective is dangerously flawed and by NO means biblical.
regarding abortion, has anyone noticed that in the past 8 yrs. under a republican administration and congress, there has been NO decrease in the number of abortions? the republican party is so deceitful. they don’t REALLY care about murdering babies - they just want your vote! and they will literally say ANYTHING to get it.
11. Stanessa | 10.10.08
Obama is not praying, he has closed his eyes for a minute, he is so tired, and does not believe what they are saying anyway. Going to church is for show and resting only.
12. IndianaJones | 10.10.08
The only difference between the radical Islamist (Osama Bin Ladin et al) and the Religious Conservative Right is that the right wing kooks have not YET started killing innocent people. They both propogate hatred and intolerance.
13. Chris Anderson | 10.10.08
I didn’t mention this in my earlier post, but I myself don’t believe we’ll ever get to a point where common folks take care of one another. I was mostly trying to draw attention to some alternatives. In saying that I still can’t bring myself to believe that government is the next logical way to work this problem out. But it’s just a belief. Nothing more. I was just hoping to inspire some people. Looking at the problems from a broader field of vision. Outside the constraints of Dems & Reps. They are both products of man. It makes me chuckle to myself to imagine Christ saying that we should depend on our government for help of any sort. I don’t get the feeling Christ is much into human government.
14. Chris Anderson | 10.10.08
@Janie
Not trying to be sarcastic, or aggressive, but just wondering. What do you think the role of government should be? How much power should it have? And also what do you think God would say about the role of government? I wouldn’t mind knowing what others think too. I enjoy learning more about human nature and things related.
15. Chris Anderson | 10.10.08
@IndianaJones
I’m not so sure about all that. Remember there are ruthless people all over the place. Everywhere. Involved in everything. I myself believe in sacrificing myself. However I don’t think I should tell you to sacrifice yourself. It’s up to you. Now in broader scope do you have the right to tell our nation to sacrifice itself? Surely you must now the threats of the world? I could withstand the outcome if we became extremely passive, but I don’t know about others who aren’t willing to sacrifice themselves. It seems like you may be shooting yourselves in the foot. Also isn’t your statement an example of propagating hatred and intolerance?
12. IndianaJones | 10.10.08
The only difference between the radical Islamist (Osama Bin Ladin et al) and the Religious Conservative Right is that the right wing kooks have not YET started killing innocent people. They both propogate hatred and intolerance.
16. Chris Anderson | 10.10.08
I promise I’ll shut up after this. Can you guys seriously picture Christ saying “And remember, fear for your future, worry about what may happen, and at all costs demand that your life’s needs be met at the expense others”.
17. janie | 10.11.08
chris
what do you think the role of gvnmt should be?
ANY government’s role should be to do what is in the best interest of all people (including international affairs). that is the democratic party platform which best correlates with biblical goals.
how much power should it have?
enough to do what is in the best interest of the people.
what would God say about the government?
that it should do what is in the best interest of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. (see FREE WILL!)
18. janie | 10.11.08
chris
no way! we can always trust God to be faithful in what we need.
i don’t understand why you are so opposed to “a massive group of people who are flawed” to do what’s best. we are all people and flawed. who else would be in charge?? are you saying you believe in aliens?
i am utterly amazed at the naivety of people living in present times. look where the republican philosophy of deregulation and smaller government has gotten us - wake up!! we need bigger government and more regulation in order for our capitalistic society to work for everyone!!
if you are going to cite certain people in the democratic party, i will too. i would never in a million years side with the likes of pat robertson or rush limbaugh. or do you believe in a hierarchy of sin?
i will say it straight out. i LOVE JESUS and my life is nothing without Him. i want what is right for everyone and BOTH democrats and republicans can improve. i just believe that the democratic platform lines up most with what Jesus came to do.
19. VK1 | 10.11.08
@chris - I am so thankful for your reasoned and reasonable comments. Despite the fact that I disagree with them, your tone is refreshing and difficult to find these days from either side, left or right.
In response to your questions (even though they weren’t addressed to me), I would say one of the biggest perceptions that I see as false is the concept that liberals/democrats are for big government and conservatives/republicans are for small government. I argue that the sizes of their governments are not very dissimilar but that the spending priorities are different.
20. April Walsh | 10.11.08
Why didn’t Ron Paul get the same media coverage as his running mates? Why was he not on the front page of the paper? I would have liked to have voted for him. Most of my clients say he was the only candidate they wanted to vote for.
Shouldn’t all candidates get equal media coverage, in this way giving the American people the freedom to vote for the person that they feel best represents them. Who has the power to correct the situation? What steps need to be taken?
21. Chris Anderson | 10.11.08
Not ignoring you guys, just holding up to my promise to shut up on my own behalf. Thanks for the responses.
22. Chris Anderson | 10.11.08
You cannot please god by being simultaneouslyagainst abortion and yet for a death penalty. Birth and Abortion are two very different things, but neither existed as we know them when Jesus walked the earth. Capital punishment did.
Jesus was a recipient of capital punishment.
ciao
23. Chris Anderson | 10.11.08
My last post was 21 before this one. Just in case more people decide to use my name to post fruity things I’ll continue not posting (this one is just a quick defense for integrity). 
This one is a fake and any that follow (you can tell by the tone):
22. Chris Anderson | 10.11.08
You cannot please god by being simultaneouslyagainst abortion and yet for a death penalty. Birth and Abortion are two very different things, but neither existed as we know them when Jesus walked the earth. Capital punishment did.
Jesus was a recipient of capital punishment.
ciao
24. dylann15 | 10.11.08
You cannot be a Serious Catholic and vote for Obama. He is for infanticide and has a strong liberal record for Pro-Choice views.
Toi is against Church teaching and it would be immoral for us to vote for him for this reason. You would be condoning this.
26. janie | 10.12.08
obama is NOT for infanticide - where did you hear that - YOU TUBE?! - come on, people, check your facts before believing everything you get through e-mail. go to http://www.matthew25.org “put away falsehood”for great fact checking on obama rumors and lies.
28. V | 10.12.08
Some of the people here make reference to a god of some sort. What you believe is your personal business and has nothing to do with anyone else. It is vain to suggest that others should believe what you believe. If you believe that your god tells you that abortion is bad, don’t have one. A bunch of cells clumped together forming a size of a grain of rice is not a person. Certain faiths attribute a soul to that clump of cells. Others don’t. Mind your own business. Don’t force your religious views on other people. It is unamerican to do so.
29. Serbs | 10.12.08
How can people here be so emotional about fetuses yet have no care about the millions of hungry, orphan children in this country? If you are pro-life, then go take care of at least one abandoned child. If you are such a strong messenger of God, go to an orphanage and look at the conditions of the children brought into this world and left without any shelter or food or love.
If people here are religious they will provide for the children already on this Earth before being all gung-ho about unborn children…that’s just fear mongering
30. PalinIstheWhyObamaWillWin | 10.12.08
Thanks Ignoramus Palin, Youve really helped out the Obama Campaign!
I’m going to church with my Obama Gear on next week and
hang out with some young Obama Voters! Let’s hear it for how
“Christian” you right wingers really act at Palin rallies!!
END OF AN ERROR in ‘08 THANKS GOPIGS!!!
31. Bstrick1411 | 10.13.08
Are these people crazy or what…..they claim that they are Christians and they support a candidate that approves abortion and on top of that later stage abortion.
What are these people thinking i know McCain is not voicing much on his religion if any but at least he values human life and values saving America is not going around removing the American Flag from his Airplane.
Did anyone ever notice that Barrack Husein Obama’s symbol resembles the Islamic coalition seal….HMMMM what a coincidence.
32. Bstrick1411 | 10.13.08
Are these people crazy or what…..they claim that they are Christians and they support a candidate that approves abortion and on top of that later stage abortion.
What are these people thinking i know McCain is not voicing much on his religion if any but at least he values human life and values saving America is not going around removing the American Flag from his Airplane.
Did anyone ever notice that Barrack Husein Obama’s symbol resembles the Islamic coalition seal….HMMMM what a coincidence.
33. RiR | 10.14.08
Am a Catholic for Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden with his respect for life, family and women. His Blueprint for Change outlines the most principles of life and dignity for the human person, call to family, community participation, options for the poor and vulnerable, care for God’s people, resources and creations.
34. Caroline | 10.14.08
Christian people full of hate, full of prejudice and full of judgement REALLY bother me……………..
OB?AMA/BIDEN 08
35. luke weyland | 10.14.08
Senators Obama and Biden are to some extent still mysteries. They are both committed Christians, seek a careful systematic solution to the economic problems and are less hawkish then their Republican competitors when it comes to foreign relations.
Senator McCain and Governor Palin are different. McCain is no maverick. He is as much a part of the Republican establishment as the Bush family. He song ” bomb bomb bomb Iran” , that Sarah Palin also sang, terrifies me that both would the US Air force do to the people of Iran, what he once did to those of Vietnam.
The false stories spread by numerous Republicans and supporters that Barack Obama is both a foreigner and a Muslim (When he happens to be a devout Christian born in Hawaii, one of USA’s 50 States), The emphasis that John McCain place in Senator McCain’s middle name both clearly illustrate the difficulty Senator McCain would have in handling the many goverments where Islam is a significant faith. Since the evil events of September 11, 2001, countless injustices have befallen loyal US citizens due to the hysteria that whipped up religious and ethnic prejudices.
For all these reasons, I sincerely hope those blue donkeys win on November 4.
36. Paul | 10.14.08
To all of you in fervent opposition to abortion, I would ask you to do some Biblical and cultural research and some thinking before you declare that abortion is unChristian or unBiblical. The two basic questions are whether abortion is, in fact, “taking an unborn life” (and whether that is an oxymoron) and whether the Bible says anything about it. There is only one passage of scripture that gives any real credence to the notion that the unborn are “living,” and that is in recommending extra severe punishment against one who kills a mother who is expecting. By contrast, there is a good argument for the idea that life begins when humans take their first breath - as when God breathed into Adam. In much ancient tradition, a child was not “alive” until it was named by its father - several days after birth -and there is a known tradition in the ancient world (when the Bible was written) of leaving unwanted newborns out in the elements to die. The anti-abortion position is espoused by too many who also say that we should not provide support for those who can’t care for their children. If we want a “culture of life” then let’s be positive and supportive — i.e., forgiving as Jesus asks us — rather than condemning. And by the way, not only am I a Christian, I am clergy.
38. JW -Texas | 10.15.08
Fear of change, even if it benefits them. I have heard both side of this debate and am for Obama. Just a little reasoned thinking and some open mindedness will lay out the facts very clearly. If you are not a person making +$250,000 a year then you should be looking to vote for Obama/Biden. To do otherwise would not be wise, all and all it is the best single thing you can do for yourselves and your children’s future.
39. Mike | 10.16.08
I cannot see how any “person of faith” can even think about supporting the democratic party, when they are so pushy about gays and abortion, forcing it down the throats of our children. How can any person call themselves a christian and support abortion? Yes, Senator Barack Hussein Obama has some good ideas but anyone that knows anything about the government knows that he would do more good for the country as a Senator. The president does not make the laws congress does. No idea of the presidents can just magically appear it has to be made law buy the congress. If he really wanted to make these drastic changes to the country why didn’t he introduce bills in the congress like McCain did, even though they were shot down by a liberal majority.
40. becca | 10.16.08
Mccain is the candidate for issues among people of faith! conservative republicans!
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1. alexandra | 10.09.08
Obama’s meteoric rise to power, despite his inexperience, socialistic agenda and his friends/spiritual advisor hate, has never been question by most of the media. The bias and control press we have in this country is dangerous to democracy. Obama socialist views of entitlement will only solidify my belief that we are loosing as a nation. We can never fault a man for what others have said around him, but when those others are his spiritual advisors, friends, mentors, suppliers of money, than we have to question his judgment. Why didn’t he object to it, why didn’t he walked out on it?
“When the character of a man is not clear to you look at his friends” - Japanese proverb