Most U.S. Churchgoers Say They Hear Clergy Address Political, Social Issues: Survey

Most Americans who regularly attend religious services say they have recently heard clergy address political or social issues from the pulpit, with abortion, Israel, and homosexuality among the most frequently discussed topics, according to a Pew Research Center survey released on May 27.

The survey found that 66 percent of U.S. adults who attend religious services at least once or twice a month said clergy at their place of worship had spoken about at least one political or social issue in recent months.

Abortion topped the list, with 35 percent of regular attenders saying clergy had spoken about it. Israel followed at 34 percent, while 31 percent said clergy had addressed homosexuality.

Immigration, U.S. military action in Iran, environmental issues, and transgender identity also surfaced in congregational discussions.

The Pew Research Center survey was conducted April 6–12 among 3,592 U.S. adults. Findings in the report relied on responses from 1,391 adults who said they attend religious services at least monthly. The margin of error for that group was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

The report examined what Americans say they hear from clergy about current political and social issues.

Researchers found that churchgoers report hearing messages against abortion and homosexuality and in support of Israel.

By contrast, fewer respondents said clergy supported abortion rights, encouraged acceptance of homosexual individuals, or criticized Israel. The findings also showed that clergy messages on several issues leaned in particular directions.

Fifteen percent of regular attenders said clergy discussed the need to welcome and support immigrants, while 3 percent said clergy called for stricter immigration enforcement.

A similar gap emerged on environmental matters. Fifteen percent said clergy promoted protecting the environment. Three percent said clergy opposed environmental regulations.

On transgender identity, 15 percent said clergy spoke against transgender identity, while 3 percent said clergy encouraged acceptance of transgender people.

The pattern was less clear on U.S. military action in Iran.

Eight percent said clergy spoke in opposition to U.S. military action in Iran. Four percent said clergy supported such action. Another 9 percent said clergy discussed the conflict without supporting or opposing it.

Pew researchers also found notable differences among religious traditions.

Catholics and white evangelical Protestants were the most likely to say clergy had recently spoken about abortion.

Half of Catholic Mass attenders, or 49 percent, said clergy recently addressed abortion. Among white evangelical Protestants, 43 percent said clergy had discussed the issue.

White evangelical Protestants were particularly likely to report hearing clergy discuss homosexuality. Forty-two percent said clergy had spoken about homosexuality, compared with 16 percent of Catholics.

Catholics stood out on immigration.

Forty-one percent of Catholics who attend services monthly said clergy had recently spoken about immigration. That contrasted with 31 percent of black Protestants, 23 percent of white non-evangelical Protestants, and 18 percent of white evangelical Protestants.

White evangelicals were less likely than other major Christian groups to report hearing about environmental issues.

Thirteen percent of white evangelical Protestants said clergy had recently addressed the environment, compared with 27 percent of white non-evangelical Protestants, 27 percent of black Protestants, and 28 percent of Catholics.

The survey found that white non-evangelical Protestants differed from other major Christian groups on issues involving sexuality and gender identity.

Pew said that white non-evangelical Protestants were as likely to report hearing clergy encourage acceptance of gay, lesbian, and transgender people as they were to hear opposition to homosexuality or transgender identity.

Researchers noted that most white non-evangelical Protestants identify with mainline denominations, including the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Episcopal Church.

The report also examined how Americans perceive clergy political affiliations.

Many respondents were uncertain.

Among regular attenders, 44 percent said they were unsure whether clergy at their place of worship were mostly Republican or Democratic.

Another 27 percent said clergy represented a political mix.

Nineteen percent said their clergy was mostly Republican, while 8 percent said their clergy was mostly Democratic.

White evangelical Protestants were more likely than other groups to view clergy as Republican.

Thirty-six percent of white evangelical Protestants said the clergy was mostly Republicans. Three percent said the clergy was mostly Democrats.

Among black Protestants, 21 percent said the clergy was mostly Democrats, compared with 8 percent who said the clergy was mostly Republicans.

Political affiliation also shaped perceptions.

Among Republicans and Republican-leaning respondents, 28 percent said clergy at their place of worship were mostly Republican, and 3 percent said they were mostly Democratic.

Among Democrats and Democratic leaners, 16 percent said clergy were mostly Democratic, and 8 percent said clergy were mostly Republican.

Even so, Pew researchers said large shares of Americans who regularly attend religious services viewed the political makeup of clergy as mixed or remained uncertain about it.