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Abortion, Israel and homosexuality top list, researchers say
Even when the presidential election isn't on the ballot, American churches can serve as active forums for political and social commentary, according to a new survey released Wednesday comparing how Protestants and Catholics approach controversial issues in the pulpit.
Among U.S. adults who attend religious services at least once a month, two-thirds (66%) report that their clergy has discussed at least one political or social issue in the past few months, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 1,391 respondents conducted April 6 to 12. Abortion, Israel and homosexuality were listed as the most frequently mentioned topics.
Catholics and white Evangelicals are particularly likely to hear comments about abortion, while white Evangelicals are more likely to encounter frequent discussions of homosexuality at church.
Catholics report higher levels of discussion on immigration, with 15% hearing calls to welcome and support immigrants compared to just 3% hearing advocacy for stricter enforcement. Both Catholics and most Protestant groups hear more about protecting the environment (15%) than opposing regulations (3%). White Evangelicals, however, are less likely to hear environmental topics (about 13%) than other Christian groups (around 25%).
On sex and gender issues, 15% of regular attenders heard messages opposing transgender identity, while only 3% heard calls for acceptance. White non-Evangelicals proved to be the sole exception, researchers said.
Continued below.
www.christianpost.com
Even when the presidential election isn't on the ballot, American churches can serve as active forums for political and social commentary, according to a new survey released Wednesday comparing how Protestants and Catholics approach controversial issues in the pulpit.
Among U.S. adults who attend religious services at least once a month, two-thirds (66%) report that their clergy has discussed at least one political or social issue in the past few months, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 1,391 respondents conducted April 6 to 12. Abortion, Israel and homosexuality were listed as the most frequently mentioned topics.
Catholics and white Evangelicals are particularly likely to hear comments about abortion, while white Evangelicals are more likely to encounter frequent discussions of homosexuality at church.
Catholics report higher levels of discussion on immigration, with 15% hearing calls to welcome and support immigrants compared to just 3% hearing advocacy for stricter enforcement. Both Catholics and most Protestant groups hear more about protecting the environment (15%) than opposing regulations (3%). White Evangelicals, however, are less likely to hear environmental topics (about 13%) than other Christian groups (around 25%).
On sex and gender issues, 15% of regular attenders heard messages opposing transgender identity, while only 3% heard calls for acceptance. White non-Evangelicals proved to be the sole exception, researchers said.
Continued below.
Most churchgoers say clergy talk about politics, social issues from the pulpit, survey finds
Even when the presidential election isn t on the ballot, American churches can serve as active forums for political and social commentary, according to a new survey released Wednesday comparing how
www.christianpost.com
