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Report: Churchgoers Want to Worship with People Who Share Their Political Views

Report: Churchgoers Want to Worship with People Who Share Their Political Views

Protestant churches are taking after America’s lead in dividing themselves by politics.

According to Christianity Today, over half (57%) of Protestant churchgoers prefer going to church with people who share their political views. Very few Protestant churchgoers will say they attend services with people of different views.

Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, says that churches are indeed divided by politics, and that “churchgoers under 50 seem to want it that way.”

For their study, LifeWay Research surveyed over 1,000 Americans who attend services at least once a month at a Protestant or nondenominational church.

Forty-six percent have said they “prefer to attend a church where people share my political views.” Forty-two percent disagree, and twelve percent are unsure.

“Only a third of churchgoers in the study had strong feelings on this subject,” McConnell shared. “Politics doesn’t seem to be a high priority for most Protestants when choosing a church to attend, but for a small group of churchgoers, it’s really crucial.”

When asked if their political views match those of most people at their church, 51% agreed, 19% disagreed and 30% were not entirely sure.

“Politics isn’t the only thing churchgoers care about,” McConnell said. “In some churches, politics isn’t mentioned at all—at least in the pews.”

A previous LifeWay Research study found that only 1 in 10 (9%) would consider leaving their church over politics.

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