Jean-Franck Tonga

English 2010

Fall 2012

Dr. Ashley Argyle

Report

Religion Influence in Politics

2008 was an election year in which religion was very prevalent. So were years before.

Therefore one could not help thinking if this 2012 election would be any different. Would voters base

their choice according to the candidates religious belief or their agendas. The two candidates could not

have been better opponents for this year’s election to verify this theory. President Barack Obama who

is belief to be Muslim, and Governor Mitt Romney who is Mormon. This report will show how voters feel

about the candidates religious believe in the 2012 election, and how is it different from last election.

President Obama, consider by many being a “closet” Muslim. Even though he attended a

Christian church back in Chicago where he was a Senator. But because of his name Barack Hussein

Obama which sound like a Muslim name and also because of picture of him taking part to ceremony

during a trip a Kenya, Africa where his father was from. Ceremony which appears to be a religious

ceremony. Rumors that Presidents Obama has never tried to dissipate by clearly stating his religious

believe. All this let many believe that he is not Christian.

Governor Romney is a Latter Day Saint, or Mormon has they known trough the world. Although

they consider themselves Christians, other Christians do see them that. Mormons are seen has “a cult”.

Mainly because of their history tied to polygamy and their acceptance of the Book of Mormon being and

set of revelations from God and also they do baptism for the dead. These are significant reasons their

detractor do not accept them has Christians.

How do those views on the candidates religious believe show in real life. The chart below will

show if voters views of both candidates is religion is different that it used to be four years ago.

Voter who Belive Romney is Christian

Voter Who Believe Obama is Christian

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2008

2012

20082012

Chart1. Voters Views on Romney and Obama Religious Believe in 2008 and 2012

This chart is based upon a survey done by the PEW Research Center. And side by side these

charts show that voters views on both candidates religious belief has slightly change since 2008.

Compare to 2008, slightly less people believe President Obama to be Christian than is Muslim in 2012.

Meanwhile the number of people who believe Governor Romney to be Christian as has increase in 2012.

The number of people who believe he is not Christian stay about the same. One might ask why are those

facts matter. Well they matter because according to the survey done by the PEW research Center

election, in 2008, 16% of white evangelic would not have voted neither man. In 2012 that number has

double. 30% of the same group would not vote for neither candidate.

White Christians Black Christians

Youth Hispanic Millennial White Young

Christians

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Romney

Obama

RomneyObama

Chart2. How voters Race and Religious Belief Show in Their Choice for a Candidate.

The above chart is based upon a survey done by The Christian Post. It show that in this year’s

election, some voters will base their choice as much us on the candidate religious belief as mush on his

race. In other word, ethnicity will affect this election as much as religion will, even more.

For good or for bad, should religion and politics be mix? To answer the question, we will refer to

the Constitution of the United States of America. The first Amendment states: ”Congress shall make no

law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the

freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the

government for a redress of grievances.” By law the government is not allow to establish a religious

state nor it is to mix religion into state affair. But the law does not prohibit the citizen to mix politic and

religion. The people are free to go about their affair according to their religious belief that includes

politics. Therefore, like years before, religion will play a part this year’s election. By how much that let to

be seen. Therefore another question comes to mind. Does religion have a strong grip in politics like it

used to?

The answer to this question will base upon the chart below.

Percentage of Voters Influence by ReligionPercentage of voters not Influenced by Religion

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2006

2010

1012

200620101012

Chart3. Religion Impact in Politics in the pass Six Years

The char show that in the pass six years, the impact of religion in politics has slightly been

diminishing. Young people are getting involve more and more in the political process. A new wave of

immigrants who have a religion other than Christianity is growing. People are focus more and more on

issues such as the economy, HealthCare and immigration. Therefore voters are focusing more and more

on the candidates’ agendas.

Although religion seems to have loosened its grip on politics, there are still two religious belief

that still have a long way to go. ABC News release an article tile “American Least Likely to Vote for

Atheist, Muslim President Candidates.” Like the tile clearly states, American voters will vote anyone of

the these two religion. In fact 54% of Americans will not vote an atheist while 58% of Americans will

vote a Muslim.

Lie it or not, religion had and will play an intricate part of national politics. Most of the decisions

we make are based upon a system of belief, religious or not. But we should avoid to be on the extremist

religious side. Because regardless of our belief, extremism tends to discredit our actions good or bad.

Work Cited

Religion In The 2008 Presidential Election. An Analysis of 2008 Exit Polls. PEW Research Center

Publication. 11, August 2010.

Little Voter Discomfort With Romney’s Mormon Religion. Only Half Identify Obama as Christian.

PEW Forum On Religion And Public Life. 26 July 2012

Hartsfield, Elizabeth. “The Note. Americans Least Likely To Vote For An Atheist, Muslim

Presidential Candidates, Poll finds.” ABC News. 21 June 2012