Politics & Government
Faith, Politics and Herman Cain
[10.24.2011]At this point, there doesn’t seem to be much about Mitt Romney’s Mormon background that hasn’t been exhaustively picked over by the media. The same is true to a lesser extent of Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann; the two former Republican front-runners sparked controversy late in the summer for their alleged links to Dominionism, an extreme Christian theological movement. Bachmann was profiled in The New York Times and The New… more
Herman Cain on Abortion: Pro-Life, Pro-Choice or Both?
[10.21.2011]Earlier this week, Herman Cain thoroughly mystified bloggers and pundits alike when, during an interview with Piers Morgan of CNN, he said that if a woman became pregnant as a result of rape, the situation “ultimately gets down to a choice that that family or that mother has to make.” When asked to clarify his remarks, Cain immediately found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. His aversion… more
Voice of America | Romney Faces Political Challenge Over Religion
[10.20.2011]Our research director, Daniel Cox, is featured in a recent report from Voice of America, on the recent controversy over Mitt Romney’s faith. Watch below!
Romney Finds Himself on Friendly Turf with Nevada Debate Audience
[10.19.2011]In the aftermath of last night’s GOP debate in Nevada, commentators noted that the audience seemed unusually friendly to Romney. In one instance the audience loudly expressed their disapproval for evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress’ claims that Mormonism is a cult. The audience also cheered Romney when he chastised Perry for refusing to repudiate Jeffress’ comments and, according to Talking Points Memo, “booed Perry and Santorum when they brought out the… more
Tea Party “Anthem” Highlights the Movement’s Christian Identity
[10.18.2011]If you haven’t heard it, give Krista Branch’s “I am America” a listen. According to ABC’s Huma Khan, the song is being heralded as the Tea Party’s “anthem,” and like most good sacred songs, it reveals quite a bit about the movement that has embraced it. In this case, what’s notable about “I am America” is its strong religious theme, signaling the importance of religion to the Tea Party movement…. more
Which GOP Candidate’s Faith Is Really Under Attack?
[10.18.2011]It’s been an arduous month on the campaign trail for presidential hopeful Rick Perry – at least, according to his wife, Anita. And she has little doubt as to why. Speaking to voters in South Carolina, she explained, “We are being brutalized by our opponents, and our own party. So much of that is, I think, they look at him because of his faith.” Religion has been a hot topic… more
Factsheet | What Do Americans Think About Mormonism, Anyway?
[10.18.2011]At tonight’s GOP primary debate, one topic seems highly likely to come up: Mitt Romney’s Mormonism. Jon Huntsman, the other Mormon candidate, is boycotting the debate because Nevada had the audacity to move its caucus up to mid-January (leaving open the frightening possibility of a December New Hampshire primary), so Romney will be on his own if the recent fracas over whether the Mormon faith is really a Christian religion… more
Research Note | Mormons and White Evangelicals Might Not Be So Different After All
[10.11.2011]Take a look at our new research note, documenting the political parallels between Mormons and white evangelical Protestants. The findings may be surprising, given recent speculation about whether white evangelicals will support Romney. Nevertheless, it seems likely that if white evangelical voters can see past theological doubts about whether Mormonism is a Christian faith, they will find that they have many political values in common with Mormons. For example: On… more
Evangelicals’ Doubt That Mormonism is a Christian Religion May Not Hurt Romney
[10.11.2011]As Dr. Robert P. Jones predicted in last week’s “Figuring Faith,” this weekend’s annual Values Voter Summit was a testing ground for Mitt Romney, the GOP front-runner and a devout Mormon. While introducing Rick Perry, prominent evangelical pastor Robert Jeffress slammed Romney by asking his audience, “Do we want a candidate who is a good, moral person, or one who is a born-again follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?” For… more