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4 Ways to Judge "Values Voter Summit"
By Robert P. Jones
president, Public Religion Research
This weekend, conservative Christian activists will gather at the fourth annual "Values Voter Summit" in Washington, DC. Sponsored by Family Research Council and other conservative Christian and political groups, the gathering will feature prominent conservative Christians and other leaders and sessions with titles such as "Silencing the Christians," "Obamacare: Rationing Your Life Away," and "Thugocracy: Fighting the Vast Left-wing Conspiracy."
With titles like that, there is sure to be good, perhaps irresistible, religious and political theater, but sorting out the realities from the rhetoric can be a real challenge both for reporters and for readers who hope to come away from new stories with a critical understanding of the current state of the conservative religious activist movement and its relationship to the wider group of white evangelical Christians for which it claims to speak.
Below are four recommended questions that readers should use to evaluate the quality of the upcoming media coverage. These recommendations are largely based on findings from our newly released 2009 Religious Activists Surveys, conducted by the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics in partnership with Public Religion Research.
Question 1: Does the story note that conservative Christian activists are only one kind of "values voter"?
Our recent Religious Activists Surveys, the most comprehensive comparative portraits of conservative and progressive religious activists to date, are an important reminder that the conservative Christian activists attending the "Values Voter Summit" are just one kind of religious activist with one set of values. There is also another group of religious activists, progressive religious activists, who hold their own set of values and who have been making their presence known in recent years.
We found activists on both the right and the left who were both politically engaged and more highly religious than the general public. Referencing the so-called "God gap" during his remarks at our recent press conference, Michael Cromartie, Vice President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, concluded, "Well clearly, from this data, the God Gap is not only closing, it is closed." In fact, in our surveys, while conservative and progressive activists didn't agree on many political issues, they did agree that progressive religious groups had wielded a greater influence than conservative religious groups in the 2008 election.
Question 2: Does the coverage give a nod to the important differences between the priorities of conservative religious activists and the broader group of white evangelical Christians for whom these activists claim to speak?
Activists are elites who close ranks easily, and their views rarely correspond in a one-to-one fashion with the more diverse and less predictable rank and file. The Religious Activists Surveys confirmed that conservative religious activists ranked only two issues as the most important for religious people to engage: abortion and same-sex marriage. While this narrow agenda has the strategic advantage of being focused and clear, it does not map cleanly onto the priorities of white evangelicals overall, who have broader political priorities. The 2008 Faith and American Politics Survey (FAPS), for example, found that white evangelicals did not rank abortion or same-sex marriage in the top five issues that were most important to their vote. White evangelicals overall ranked these cultural issues lower than the economy, terrorism, energy and gas, the war in Iraq, and health care as the important factors in their vote. This is not to say that white evangelicals do not have strong opinions about opposing abortion and same-sex marriage (even here, not surprisingly, activist opinions are more polarized than opinions of white evangelicals in the general population), but it is important to note that the priorities of conservative religious activists do not necessarily square with the priorities of evangelicals overall.
Question 3: Does the story attempt to understand the deeper cultural and theological influences underneath the issues?
Underlying the most contentious arguments in the national health-care reform debate are deep disagreements about the appropriate role for government. On this broad issue, which provides a partial window into a religio-cultural worldview, conservative activists views are perhaps stronger but basically track the views of white evangelicals overall. Among conservative religious activists in the Religious Activists Surveys, 86% believe that government should provide fewer services and cut spending. The 2008 Faith and American Politics Survey, which contained a slightly different question, found similarly that two-thirds of white evangelicals overall reported favoring smaller government offering fewer services, rather than larger government providing more services.
But what is most interesting--and what gets to the passionate reactions in the health care debate--are the ways in which these views about the role of government are rooted in deeper theological beliefs that shape activists' predispositions toward more individualistic or more structural approaches to solving social problems. For example, the Religious Activists Surveys found that more than two-thirds (67%) of conservative Christian activists agree that "if enough people were brought to Christ, social ills would take care of themselves," a view shared by only 13% of progressive Christian activists. Understanding the links between theological beliefs about religious salvation and political strategies for solving social problems (which are perhaps an analogous albeit limited kind of this-worldly salvation) goes a long way not only towards taking religious people seriously, but also towards casting light on what may seem to some like perplexing visceral reactions.
Question 4: Does the coverage attend to the role of younger activists and to generational differences that challenge conventional wisdom?
One additional recommendation is to examine important issues through the prism of generational differences. While the views of younger and older white evangelicals are similar on some issues such as abortion, on others such as the role of government and gay and lesbian rights, there are significant generation gaps.
On these issues, white evangelicals have a larger generation gap than any other major religious group. A small majority (53%) of younger (under 35 years of age) evangelicals overall side with conservative religious activists favoring a smaller government offering fewer services. However, 44% of younger evangelicals say they favor a larger government offering more services, compared to only 23% of older evangelicals (age 35 or older)--a generation gap of 21 points. Likewise, a majority of younger evangelicals favor some legal recognition of same-gender relationships, either same-sex marriage (24%) or civil unions (28%). In contrast, only about one-third of older evangelicals favor either same-sex marriage (9%) or civil unions (25%)--a generation gap of 18 points (FAPS 2008).
In addition to dealing with the significant generational differences in attitudes, it is worth asking how conservative Christian activists are dealing with the considerable challenge of recruiting and integrating younger activists. One of the most striking findings of the Religious Activists Surveys is dearth of younger activists in the ranks of both conservative and progressive religious activists. Less than 1-in-5 conservative and progressive activists are 50 years of age or younger (16% and 17% respectively), compared to approximately 3-in-5 in the general population. And conservative religious activists are even older, with nearly half (49%) clocking in at 65 years of age or more. With the passing of so many dominant conservative Christian leaders in the past few years, one key question for the conservative religious movement is how it will reach out to a new generation of activists, especially one that is not necessarily looking for the next great leader and does not seamlessly share the issue priorities or the strategies of the previous generation.
In short, an event like the "Values Voters Summit" can present challenges to reporters (especially those whose primary beat isn't religion) and readers alike who want to accurately locate these conservative religious activists in the context of American religion. But it also presents an opportunity. These four questions are at least one way readers can arm themselves with tools to differentiate between reporting that critically distinguishes between rhetoric and reality, stereotype and complexity. Done carefully and well, the coverage of this event has the potential to advance our understanding of the broad and dynamic American religious landscape.
Robert P. Jones, Ph.D. is president of Public Religion Research, a research and education organization working at the intersection of religion, values, and public life. He was a principal researcher, along with John C. Green, Director of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron, for the newly released 2009 Religious Activists Surveys. Dr. Jones was also the principal researcher for the 2008 Faith and American Politics Survey, sponsored by Faith in Public Life and conducted by Public Religion Research.
By Robert P. Jones |
September 17, 2009; 12:03 PM ET
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Posted by: norriehoyt | September 20, 2009 1:38 PM
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Hitler was wrong again when he said, "National Socialism and religion cannot exist together...."
This group of Huckabees is living proof that the two can compliment each other.
Posted by: coloradodog | September 20, 2009 7:33 AM
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Values Voters? Tony Perkins and the other right-wing Christians at this event think Senators Vitter and Ensign -- with their prostitutes and mistresses -- have great values because they support tax cuts for corporations. Can someone please get Tony Perkins a copy of the Bible so he can actually see what Jesus said and did -- heal the sick, comfort the poor, feed the hungry AND ride a donkey, and not an elephant, into Jerusalem
Posted by: tlehman1117 | September 19, 2009 9:06 PM
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"Most participants agreed that there is not, and never has been, a strict wall preventing church and state from working together (see box). Government and faith-based organizations have a long history of cooperation, and some faith-based organizations, such as Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and United Jewish Communities, rely extensively on government funding to deliver services.
What sets the new proposals apart from past practice is that for the first time pervasively religious groups, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, can receive government funds directly rather than through a nonprofit organization affiliated with the congregation. This departure charts untested waters in church-state relations and assures further debate."
TABLE 1. Who Should Be Eligble for Government Funds?
Favor Oppose Don't Know
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Catholic churches 62 32 6
Protestant churches 61 31 8
Jewish synagogues 58 34 8
Evangelic Christian churches 52 35 13
Mormon churches 51 41 8
Muslim mosques 38 46 16
Buddhist temples 38 46 16
Nation of Islam 29 53 18
Posted by: ccnl1 | September 19, 2009 1:44 PM
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Simple fact:
The "Christian Right" is neither.
Posted by: lufrank1 | September 18, 2009 8:35 PM
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These value voters are symbols of walking contradiction. Their set of believes are inconsistent with their faith. They are waling violation of their own belief.
They want small government, but they want government to out law this and that. They want to benefit from the government's help, but when people were getting help, they cried foul. They want a fair share of the society, but when the government want to level the playing field of health care, they cried foul again.
Illogical, stupid and ...
They are against everything the bible preached. Their summit should be rename as "The value? voter summit".
Posted by: kcleung8947 | September 18, 2009 7:46 PM
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Now that Acorn competition is gone for community organizing, can we look forward to some of those "values" organizers being exposed? Actually, all I'd like to see is their tax dollars. Why should these people who are financed by big corporations (who love their gullible parisheners)get tax exemptions. They do more campaigning than alot of politicians!! TAX THEM.
Posted by: tmcproductions2004 | September 18, 2009 4:41 PM
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I might add that linking the terms Conservative and Christ is impossible! If Jesus was anything he was a Liberal, Progressive, rule breaking, women loving person! I can not imagine Jesus killing a doctor to prevent the suffering of a pregnant woman; murdering thousands in some Armageddon inspired craziness, supporting a murderous Jewish nation killing thousands of innocents, denying medical care to millions to make profits for corporations, railing against immigrants merely seeking better lives, ... these are the reported stories of your God; how different you are!
Posted by: Chaotician | September 18, 2009 3:43 PM
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* THE FINE ART OF DENYING 45 MILLION AMERICANS HEALTH~CARE IN OUR JUDEO~CHRISTIAN NATION *
AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS ALL ACROSS THE USA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO COUNT ON THEIR RELIGIOUS FLOCK TO CONTRIBUTE(TITHE)THEIR HARD EARNED MONIES TO THEIR MINISTRIES EVERY WEEK.
THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ATTENDING RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN THE U.S. ARE MIDDLE~CLASS AND WORKING POOR CITIZENS WHO NOW DESPERATELY NEED THE HELP AND SUPPORT FROM THESE SAME U.S.RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN LOBBYING THE U.S.CONGRESS TO PROVIDE PROPER HEALTH~CARE FOR ALL POORER AMERICANS.
***THERE ARE CURRENTLY AN ESTIMASTED 45 MILLION MEN WOMAN AND CHILDREN WITHOUT HEALTH~CARE IN THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD????
SILENT AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO ALL HAVE HEALTH~CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES IS MUCH MORE FRIGHTENING THEN THE POSSIBLE DENIAL OF A FUTURE HEALTH~CARE PLAN FOR ALL...
LAWYERS FOR POOR AMERICANS (424-247-2013)
lawyersforpooreramericans@yahoo.com
Posted by: DOUGLASFIELD2 | September 18, 2009 3:37 PM
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I would say that just about everyone who is not an active Part of the Christian Con or a completely lost indoctrinated soul incapably of rational thought; would agree that so-called Christians are the root cause of most of the ills of our society. They, the con men and women and their mindless flocks, are uncivil, death oriented, ignorant, uncivilized, aggressive, and repressive people whose rapture off the planet would dramatically raise the quality of the gene pool. I fail to understand why anyone tolerates these evil, cruel, stupid people!
Posted by: Chaotician | September 18, 2009 3:36 PM
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The idiocy of value voters is mind boggling. They vote for these idiots who border on sainthood in their eyes, but invariably the elected officials fall way short of the moral ideal that crap out of their hypocritical moths. Yet they keep doing it. What a bunch of fools!
Posted by: adrienne_najjar | September 18, 2009 3:20 PM
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This meeting clears what the question what has gone wrong with American Christians. Once we held God's with pride and showed others how it works. Now we see our Church leaders, Law Makers and even Americans working on Satan's mission while using God's name. When Bush said he only silent to God and even it was God who wanted him to be President. Well Bush lied and had both Elections fixed by Karl Rove. Senators like Vitter who hires prostitutes and say after giving the Church a 100,000 dollar Government contract, God forgave him. Senator Craig looking for sex in the men's room and Mark Foley molesting kids while both use Religion to front their sins. Senator Ensign pays for sex and then tells others he's follows Christian Family Values. The list is to long to go on but we see it everyday. While President Obama and his Family show the Christian Values others just give lip service. When you ask why God doesn't Bless America look at the conduct and hate of the Law Makers and American people. The Church is just on the pay roll now like any business. We should be praying that God Save America from the Evil within.
Posted by: qqbDEyZW | September 18, 2009 1:13 PM
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www.forward.com/articles/104855/
"Government Grant Helps California Synagogues Find Eternal Sunshine of the Holy Kind"
"To mark the event, which occurs only once every 28 years, the Board of Rabbis of Southern California is partnering with the agency responsible for improving the region’s air quality to install solar-powered Eternal Lights — the lamps that hang above synagogue arks — in synagogues throughout the region. The South Coast Air Quality Management District is even funding the “Harnessing the Blessing of the Sun” project, to the tune of $10,000."
Posted by: ccnl1 | September 18, 2009 11:58 AM
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More evidence:
American "Christianity" = hateful, intolerant, judgmental, racist, exclusionary right-wing politics.
If I were Jesus, I would change my last name in America.
Posted by: coloradodog | September 18, 2009 9:41 AM
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The opening comments for the Summit should be (might as well start at the beginning of Christianity):
Abraham founder/father of three major religions was either the embellishment of the lives of three different men or a
mythical character as was mythical Moses, the "Tablet-Man" who talked to burning bushes and made much magic in Egypt.
Many of the 1.5 million Conservative Jews and many of their rabbis have relegated Abraham to the myth pile along with most if not all the OT.
Current crisis:
Realization that the Jews are not god's chosen people.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20E1EFE35540C7A8CDDAA0894DA404482
Posted by: ccnl1 | September 18, 2009 8:21 AM
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The RUSKi's Double-Dealing & Fork Tongue so called Federalists, Mr. MEDVEDEV of the U.S.S.R. (Commies acting as if ex-commies) & Mr. PUTIN (his Vintriloquist), are a joke (not) & are a good example of TYRANTS, DICTATORS & openly flouting "POWERCRATS" whom smile while dagger in hand and or hand on the Petro-Spigit & with finger on the Atomic-Button against USA & Friendly's.
IRAN's best friend whom supplied them URANiUM know-how? VENEZEUALIA & CUBA's & BOLIVIA's best Friend (whom supplies then know-how)? Communist CHINA's best Pal too, now & suddenly, the 'Richman' of Asia major & Minor, and not Europe?
Question: Was'nt Germany once the Richman of Europe? Or is it Russia now?
Hmmmmm, Wealth seems to move about in strange ways!
Posted by: godplayer | September 18, 2009 4:08 AM
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May Peace Be Upon Him, but The U.S.A. "Quaker" President Mr. Richard Milhouse Nixon is one of me favorite "Valued" Presidents.
"Tricky Dick" was his nickname. Yet he uneccessarily tricked himself and others by stealing the Office Of The President. And the Quaker got caught.
But Today & tomorrow there are those holding the 'Office of the Presidency' by outright deciet, deception, lying, setting-folks-up and other trickaruses. But apparently they (?) had not been caught yet. Clintons? Polosi? Carter & gang?
Posted by: godplayer | September 18, 2009 3:41 AM
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Said summit might consider not convening.
Posted by: Farnaz1Mansouri1 | September 18, 2009 1:09 AM
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Said summit should start with a reality check about Christianity:
Christian Reality 2009 (for those eyes that have not seen i.e. thumping the truth to make up for 2000 years of thumping lies, myths and embellishments)
-Jesus was an illiterate Jewish peasant/carpenter/simple preacher man who suffered from hallucinations and who has been characterized anywhere from the Messiah from Nazareth to a mythical character from mythical Nazareth to a mamzer from Nazareth (Professor Bruce Chilton, in his book Rabbi Jesus). Analyses of Jesus’ life by many contemporary NT scholars (e.g. Professors Crossan, Borg and Fredriksen, On Faith panelists) via the NT and related documents have concluded that only about 30% of Jesus' sayings and ways noted in the NT were authentic. The rest being embellishments (e.g. miracles)/hallucinations made/had by the NT authors to impress various Christian, Jewish and Pagan sects.
The 30% of the NT that is "authentic Jesus" like everything in life was borrowed/plagiarized and/or improved from those who came before. In Jesus' case, it was the ways and sayings of the Babylonians, Greeks, Persians, Egyptians, Hittites, Canaanites, OT, John the Baptizer and possibly the ways and sayings of traveling Greek Cynics.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/theories.html
For added "pizzazz", Catholic/Christian theologians divided god the singularity into three persons and invented atonement as an added guilt trip for the "pew people" to go along with this trinity of overseers. By doing so, they made god the padre into god the "filicider".
Current crises:
Pedophiliac priests, atonement theology and original sin!!!!
- Luther, Calvin, Joe Smith, Henry VIII, Wesley, Roger Williams, the Great “Babs” et al, founders of Christian-based religions or combination religions also suffered from the belief in/hallucinations of "pretty wingie thingie" visits and "prophecies" for profits analogous to the myths of Catholicism (resurrections, apparitions, ascensions and immaculate conceptions).
Current crises:
Adulterous preachers, "propheteering/ profiteering" evangelicals and atonement theology, all male hierarchies and strange banking and funding.
(GO ZIPS!!!)
Posted by: ccnl1 | September 17, 2009 3:41 PM
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QUESTION 5: Does the coverage point out that the values of "Values Voters" are cruel, stupid, ignorant and inspired by Satan?