Religion and politics.(Opinion Pulse)

Sixty percent of Americans say that religion is very important in their lives. Less than half would vote for a qualified atheist for President. Forty-seven percent describe George W. Bush as a man of strong religious faith. Seven percent give that response about John Kerry. Today, a person's level of religious activism is an important predictor of voting behavior. Those who actively practice their faith are more likely to be Republican than those who do not. They may also have more in common politically with activists of other denominations than with members of their own denomination who do not actively profess their faith.

 
Vote for the Republican Presidential Candidate 
 
                1976   1980   1984   1988   1992   1996   2000 
 
Catholics        44%    50%    54%    52%    35%    37%    47% 
Protestants *    58     63     72     66     47     53     63 
Jews             34     39     31     35     11     16     19 
 
Note: * = white Protestants 
 
Source: National Election Day exit polls. 
 
Vote for George W. Bush in 2000 
 
                  White mainline     White 
                   Protestants     Catholics 
 
Traditionalists       75%             75% 
Centrists             60              53 
Modernists            48              30 
 
"'Traditionalists' are defined as those who profess orthodox religious 
beliefs, exhibit high levels of public and private religious behavior, 
and identify with sectarian movements ... 'Modernists' hold more 
heterodox beliefs, exhibit modest levels of religious practice, and 
identify with church-like movements ... Naturally 'centrist' fall 
between the other two ..." [First Things, ...