In a recent survey titled Beyond Red vs Blue: The Political Typology by Pew Research Center, there is no striking difference between Republicans and Democrats as far as their views on politics, family, faith and the role of the government are concerned.
“It’s a spectrum… The caricature that all religious people are Republican is just not true,” said Michael Dimock, vice president for research at Pew Research Center.
According to the survey, Hispanic and Black political liberals who go to church and display conservative views on subjects like gay marriage, hew red on social issues.
On the map, shading toward red:
- 12 percent: Older White, politically and socially conservative – categorized as Steadfast Conservatives.
- 10 percent: Mostly White but pro immigrant and pro Wall Street – categorized as Business Conservatives.
- 14 percent: Younger individuals, liberal on social issues but conservative on government.
On the map, shading toward blue:
- 15 percent: Individuals who part company with other blues on social and religious matters – categorized as Solid Liberals.
- 15 percent: Mostly Hispanic or Black, extremely religious – categorized as Faith and Family Left.
- 12 percent: Half of the individuals below age 40, liberal on social matters but less keen on social safety net – categorized as Next Generation Left.
- 13 percent: Individuals who are economically stressed and pessimistic – categorized as Hard-pressed Skeptics.
Approximately 10 percent individuals, categorized as Bystanders, belong to the younger age group and take no particular interest in politics.
“What you see is an anchor on the left of fairly secular people, balanced by the Faith and Family Left with a strong Democratic orientation but very religious personal lives. They’re more conservative about how they think people should be living their lives,” said Dimock.
However, on the right, he notes divisions between Business Conservatives and Steadfast Conservatives.
“Both are very religious personally, but the Business Conservatives don’t translate that into a social conservative stance. They are not as moralistic on how they see the scope of issues,” he said.
When Pew asked the respondents if one had to believe in God to be moral, 91 percent Faith and Family Left and 69 percent Steadfast Conservatives said yes. On the other hand, 66 percent Business Conservatives and 91 percent Next Generation Left said it wasn’t necessary to believe in God to be moral.
Next Pew asked the respondents about their views on the Bible and human evolution. Approximately, 74 percent Steadfast Conservatives and 48 percent Faith and Family Left said homosexuality should be condemned. Similarly, 84 percent Steadfast Conservatives and 55 percent Faith and Family Left opposed the idea of gay marriage. However, 68 percent Young Outsiders and 78 percent Next Generation Left seemed to approve of homosexuality and gay marriage.
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