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Who are the 'twelve tribes of American politics'?
Can you find your "tribe"?
The question is asked at The Wichita Eagle
Most of us think there are basically two religious groups in American politics: the religious right and the religious left.
Well, think again, two religion observers say on the Web site Beliefnet.com.
"In fact, a shrewd candidate needs to understand the idiosyncrasies and hot buttons of all Twelve Tribes of American Politics," say John Green of the Ray K. Bliss Institute at the University of Akron and Steven Waldman, editor-in-chief of Beliefnet.
Twelve tribes of American politics? That's what they've dubbed the various groups.
Green and Waldman define each of the 12 using data from the Pew Religious Forum and the Ray K. Bliss Institute.
While some of their designations are open to debate, overall the two provide revealing insights to these "tribes," or groups.
Each group is broken down according to its percentage of the electorate. That's followed by a concise description of the group, its ideology, political party affiliation, issues it cares about, and its political significance for this year's election (why one might like George W. Bush over John Kerry and vice versa).
There are also names of Americans whose beliefs correspond to a specific group. While space won't allow a full treatment of each, here is some of what you'll find. (See complete descriptions at www.beliefnet.com/story/153/story_15355_1.html.)
The first two are the largest groups and surprisingly are the same size:
Religious Right -- 12.6 percent of the electorate; highly orthodox white evangelical Protestants; 87 percent attend worship service once a week or more; 70 percent Republicans; "What they like about Bush: His personal faith, backing for 'traditional morality,' and tough foreign policy"; "What they might like about Kerry: Not much." Examples: The Rev. Jerry Falwell, James Dobson.
Religious Left -- 12.6 percent of electorate; theologically liberal Catholics, mainline and evangelical Protestants; less than 25 percent report weekly worship attendance; 51 percent Democratic; "What they might like about Bush: Hardly anything"; "What they might like about Kerry: His economic, social and foreign policies." Examples: William Sloane Coffin, Mario Cuomo.
And the other 10 groups?
Heartland Culture Warriors -- 11.4 percent; conservative Catholics and conservative mainline Protestants, Latter-day Saints, smaller groups; conservative on social issues but give greater attention to economic and foreign policy issues. Examples: George W. Bush, William Bennett.
Moderate Evangelicals -- 10.8 percent; white evangelical Protestants but less orthodox in their religious beliefs; "not as concerned about cultural rot as their conservative brethren." An example: Jimmy Carter.
White Bread Protestants -- 7 percent; core members of mainline Protestant churches; don't like Republican Party's emphasis on conservative social issues; focus on economic matters. An example: George H.W. Bush.
Convertible Catholics -- 8.1 percent; core of white Catholic community (outnumber conservative Catholics by almost 2 to 1); "quintessential swing vote"; half give priority to economic issues, some are pro-choice and support stem-cell research. Examples: Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Kerry.
Spiritual But Not Religious -- 5.3 percent; 85 percent believe in God but don't like organized religion; 47 percent under age 35; liberal on economics and abortion, but 58 percent favor traditional marriage. An example: Tony Robbins.
Seculars -- 10.7 percent; non-religious; very liberal on social issues, moderate on economics; 47 percent under age 35. Examples: Bill Maher, Howard Dean.
Latinos -- 7.3 percent; majority Catholic; 53 percent report worship attendance at least weekly; 59 percent oppose abortion and gay marriage; more than two-fifths want government spending increased. An example: Bill Richardson.
Jews -- 1.9 percent; common cultural identity mixed with diverse religious beliefs; only group to put foreign policy first; liberal on economics and especially social issues. Examples: Al Franken, Barbra Streisand.
Muslims & Other Faiths -- 2.7 percent; Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, other smaller groups; care more about economics (liberal on the issue); some (Muslims especially) are conservative on social issues. Examples: Muhammad Ali, Richard Gere.
Black Protestants -- 9.6 percent; 59 percent attend worship once a week or more; economic issues first; conservative on social issues (72 percent support traditional marriage). Examples: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, T.D. Jakes.
The "tribes" are discused in detail on Beliefnet
-pah-
Can you find your "tribe"?
The question is asked at The Wichita Eagle
Most of us think there are basically two religious groups in American politics: the religious right and the religious left.
Well, think again, two religion observers say on the Web site Beliefnet.com.
"In fact, a shrewd candidate needs to understand the idiosyncrasies and hot buttons of all Twelve Tribes of American Politics," say John Green of the Ray K. Bliss Institute at the University of Akron and Steven Waldman, editor-in-chief of Beliefnet.
Twelve tribes of American politics? That's what they've dubbed the various groups.
Green and Waldman define each of the 12 using data from the Pew Religious Forum and the Ray K. Bliss Institute.
While some of their designations are open to debate, overall the two provide revealing insights to these "tribes," or groups.
Each group is broken down according to its percentage of the electorate. That's followed by a concise description of the group, its ideology, political party affiliation, issues it cares about, and its political significance for this year's election (why one might like George W. Bush over John Kerry and vice versa).
There are also names of Americans whose beliefs correspond to a specific group. While space won't allow a full treatment of each, here is some of what you'll find. (See complete descriptions at www.beliefnet.com/story/153/story_15355_1.html.)
The first two are the largest groups and surprisingly are the same size:
Religious Right -- 12.6 percent of the electorate; highly orthodox white evangelical Protestants; 87 percent attend worship service once a week or more; 70 percent Republicans; "What they like about Bush: His personal faith, backing for 'traditional morality,' and tough foreign policy"; "What they might like about Kerry: Not much." Examples: The Rev. Jerry Falwell, James Dobson.
Religious Left -- 12.6 percent of electorate; theologically liberal Catholics, mainline and evangelical Protestants; less than 25 percent report weekly worship attendance; 51 percent Democratic; "What they might like about Bush: Hardly anything"; "What they might like about Kerry: His economic, social and foreign policies." Examples: William Sloane Coffin, Mario Cuomo.
And the other 10 groups?
Heartland Culture Warriors -- 11.4 percent; conservative Catholics and conservative mainline Protestants, Latter-day Saints, smaller groups; conservative on social issues but give greater attention to economic and foreign policy issues. Examples: George W. Bush, William Bennett.
Moderate Evangelicals -- 10.8 percent; white evangelical Protestants but less orthodox in their religious beliefs; "not as concerned about cultural rot as their conservative brethren." An example: Jimmy Carter.
White Bread Protestants -- 7 percent; core members of mainline Protestant churches; don't like Republican Party's emphasis on conservative social issues; focus on economic matters. An example: George H.W. Bush.
Convertible Catholics -- 8.1 percent; core of white Catholic community (outnumber conservative Catholics by almost 2 to 1); "quintessential swing vote"; half give priority to economic issues, some are pro-choice and support stem-cell research. Examples: Arnold Schwarzenegger and John Kerry.
Spiritual But Not Religious -- 5.3 percent; 85 percent believe in God but don't like organized religion; 47 percent under age 35; liberal on economics and abortion, but 58 percent favor traditional marriage. An example: Tony Robbins.
Seculars -- 10.7 percent; non-religious; very liberal on social issues, moderate on economics; 47 percent under age 35. Examples: Bill Maher, Howard Dean.
Latinos -- 7.3 percent; majority Catholic; 53 percent report worship attendance at least weekly; 59 percent oppose abortion and gay marriage; more than two-fifths want government spending increased. An example: Bill Richardson.
Jews -- 1.9 percent; common cultural identity mixed with diverse religious beliefs; only group to put foreign policy first; liberal on economics and especially social issues. Examples: Al Franken, Barbra Streisand.
Muslims & Other Faiths -- 2.7 percent; Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, other smaller groups; care more about economics (liberal on the issue); some (Muslims especially) are conservative on social issues. Examples: Muhammad Ali, Richard Gere.
Black Protestants -- 9.6 percent; 59 percent attend worship once a week or more; economic issues first; conservative on social issues (72 percent support traditional marriage). Examples: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, T.D. Jakes.
The "tribes" are discused in detail on Beliefnet
-pah-
