Just as the current presidential election is shaping up as a highly-polarized
event, American views on a range of issues related to politics, religion and
moral values appear just as divided.
Just as the current presidential election is shaping up as a highly-polarized
event, American views on a range of issues related to politics, religion and
moral values appear just as divided.
Consider:
More Americans view the Republican Party rather than the Democratic
Party as friendly toward religion. However, they also say the two presidential
candidates mention their faith about the right amount.
Most American voters voice comfort with President George Bushs
reliance on religious beliefs in making policy decisions. However, they also
oppose too much involvement by churches in politics.
The debate regarding stem-cell research is growing – while the
issue of a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man
and a woman ranks low in terms of priorities. However, moral issues could play
a key role in the election, with 64 percent of American voters saying such matters
will be very important in how they cast a ballot.
Meanwhile, interest in the current election remains high, notes a recently-released
poll by The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The poll covers a variety
of issues related to politics and religion – and offers encouraging news to
both Republicans and Democrats.
For instance, Republicans definitely are seen as the most religion-friendly
party.
Overall, 52 percent of American adults see that party as friendly to religion,
while just 10 percent see it as unfriendly and 24 percent view it as neutral.
In turn, just 40 percent of Americans see the Democratic Party as friendly
toward religion, compared Those numbers could pose a problem for Bush and others
who seek to make a constitutional amendment on marriage a presidential election
issue.
While Bushs support of an amendment is sure to rally his core voters,
he runs the risk of not connecting with swing voters, who give low priority
to the issue.
Indeed, overall, just 34 percent of Americans say the issue of gay marriages
is very important to their vote.
However, the importance is higher among evangelicals (55 percent), Republican
(49 percent) and persons who attend church weekly (50 percent).
(The Pew Forum poll involved 1,512 adults and has a margin of error of plus
or minus 3 percentage points)