Document Type
Article
Subject Area(s)
Political Science, Religion
Abstract
This study sought to determine to what degree clergy members of various denominations mentioned the 2012 Presidential Election in their sermons. A convenience sampling of 1,012 sermon texts prepared and delivered by 141 Protestant Christian clergy members from August 5 through November 4, 2012, were gathered and analyzed for occurrences and type of political messages. Analysis found that political messages were more likely to be given by clergy located in Blue States and least likely to be given by clergy located in Red States. Extensive political messages were more likely delivered by clergy located in Swing States. Clergy members were most likely to speak against the prevailing political environment perceived as divisive, polarizing, negative, and attack oriented and called upon their listeners to act in such a way as to minimize and eliminate the influence of such destructive forces in their personal and social lives.
Publication Info
2014.