Staff ReportsThe ongoing examinations of the religious affiliations of political candidates have yielded some amusing insights, particularly when it comes to Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Harris, with her roots in the Baptist tradition and religious influence from her mother’s Indian heritage, has been scrutinized for her spiritual credibility. Meanwhile, Trump, who shifted from a mainline Presbyterian upbringing to a nondenominational sentiment during his presidency, has found himself in a similar quandary regarding his perceived Christian identity.
A recent survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs indicates that only 14% of Americans believe the word “Christian” describes either candidate very well. This statistic must raise eyebrows, suggesting that in a nation professing Christianity as its foundational faith, neither candidate has struck a chord with voters in the spiritual domain. While the left might relish the irony of this finding, the truth is that Trump’s base of loyal white evangelical Protestants remains steadfast, with around 70% maintaining a favorable view of him. However, only half of this group appears to think he truly reflects their beliefs, which likely means they are more interested in his policies than his piety.
Are Trump and Harris particularly Christian? That’s not what most Americans would say – AP-NORC poll @SightMagazine #APNORCpoll #USelection #DonaldTrump #KamalaHarris #Christianhttps://t.co/HtOTqLoxz1 pic.twitter.com/b5utQSzkdn
— Sight Magazine (@sightmagazine) September 23, 2024
The sentiments surrounding Trump’s authenticity as a “man of God” seem to have been carefully crafted by evangelical leaders who insist that question marks around his morality and truthfulness are irrelevant when considering the greater good of supporting his re-election. It’s an interesting angle for the religious right, one that seems to pit traditional Christian values against the pragmatic goal of achieving ideological ends. One could almost hear echoes of “the ends justify the means” resounding through pews across the nation.
Turning attention to Harris, her support among Black Protestants appears strong, with a healthy majority viewing her favorably. Yet, while they might feel a kinship with her, the same survey finds that only about 40% of this demographic considers her to embody the essence of Christianity. This indicates that even in her community, there is some skepticism about who she is and what she truly represents—perhaps due to her late entry into the race and the uncertainty surrounding her actual political stances.
In the grand scheme, it seems Americans are slowly drifting into a deep cynicism about politicians as a whole, troubled by the untruths and half-truths that pervade the political discourse. The fact that only a third of respondents described Harris as “honest” or “moral,” and a meager 15% for Trump, speaks volumes about the current political climate. The notion that faithfulness is no longer equated with honesty among candidates may just reflect the grim reality of modern American politics, where both sides of the aisle battle to win favor—often without true conviction.
Overall, these findings serve as a potent reminder that faith, morality, and politics are increasingly complex and often contradictory in the eyes of the electorate. As Americans ponder which candidate might reflect their values better, it’s clear that candidates may need to step up their religious game, lest they become entirely unidentifiable from the principles they claim to uphold. After all, in an age where political integrity and spiritual authenticity are under scrutiny, voters seek more than mere platitudes—they want leaders who embody the very virtues they preach.
