Vice President Kamala Harris, a Baptist influenced by religious traditions from her mother’s Indian heritage, is perceived as not particularly Christian by only 14% of U.S. adults according to a recent survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. Former President Donald Trump, who transitioned to identifying as a nondenominational Christian during his presidency, also scored low in this aspect.
Despite the low perception of them being Christian, white evangelical Protestants, a significant part of Trump’s base, continue to support him, with about 7 in 10 viewing him favorably. However, only around half of this group believes Trump best represents their beliefs. On the other hand, a considerable number see Harris or neither candidate as aligned with their religious beliefs.
Experts note a shifting narrative among white evangelicals regarding morality and religion in politics, emphasizing support for Trump as instrumental to their conservative goals. The role of evangelical leaders in portraying Trump as vital for their objectives, regardless of his religious or moral standing, is highlighted.
Black Protestants, particularly those who are Harris’ fellow believers, largely view her favorably and consider her representation of their religious beliefs positively. Black Protestants are inclined to relate to Harris’ background, which combines Baptist faith with influences from her mother’s Indian spiritual heritage.
Interestingly, when Americans were asked about using terms like “honest” or “moral” to describe the candidates, neither candidate scored particularly high in the survey. This might reflect a widespread cynicism towards politicians as a whole, according to experts analyzing the survey results. The Black Church PAC is mobilizing voters for Harris, with a focus on showcasing her competency and qualifications to the electorate.
