Race Still Matters. Religion … Maybe.

October 15, 2012 By Caryn Riswold Leave a Comment

Results of the Millennial Values and Voter Engagement survey released by the Public Religion Research Institute in early October indicate at least one thing: the racial divide remains. It also indicates that Barack Obama’s support is stronger among younger voters who are Catholic, minority Protestant, and religiously unaffiliated. For a variety of reasons, I suspect, he speaks to them better than his Republican opposition.

Back in 2009, The Pew Research Center reported that the millennial generation (born between 1981-2000) is more diverse racially and ethnically, less religiously affiliated, more plugged in, and more politically progressive than their predecessors. Each of these things seems confirmed and emphasized in this month’s PRRI survey.

Particularly regarding diversity, especially around race and religion, I can’t help but recall this statement from President Obama’s inaugural address:

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/carynriswold/2012/10/race-still-matters-religion-maybe/