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By Kent Larsen
Mormons Supported Bush More Than Other Religious Groups
WASHINGTON, DC -- Mormon voters chose George W. Bush over challenger Al Gore
by 88% to 12%, according to a new poll by researchers at the University of
Akron, Calvin College, Furman University and Wheaton College of Illinois.
However, Mormon voters were a small part, less than 5%, of the support for
either candidate, in line with the proportion of Mormons in the general
population.
The poll also indicates that a higher proportion of Mormon voters supported
Bush than any other religious group. The next closest group was observant
White Evangelical Protestants, who chose Bush by 84% to 16%, followed by
observant White Mainline Protestants (65% to 35%). Where religious groups
were large enough, the poll distinguished between those that were "more
observant" (attending once a week) and those that were "less observant"
(attending less than once a week).
The researchers say the data shows an increasing political polarization of
Americans on the basis of religion. This polarization, was reinforced during
the recent election. But lead researcher John C. Green of the University of
Akron says that the results don't necessarily mean that the US is divided by
religion, "I'm not sure our society is deeply divided. [Americans] disagree
with their neighbors. They don't hate them." However, other polls noticed by
Mormon News do show some anti-Mormon candidate bias among evangelical
protestants.
Reacting to the poll results, John J. DiIulio of the University of
Pennsylvania said that the results show religion remains an important
factor. The poll, he says, "puts back squarely on the table that religion is
one of those things you have to look at."
Sources:
U.S. Voters Religiously Polarized
(Long Island) NY Newsday (AP) 25Jan01 T4
By Richard N. Ostling: AP Religion Writer
Survey Indicates Traditional Voting Patterns, Increased Polarization
Beliefnet 24Jan01 T4
How Religious Groups Voted in the 2000 Presidential Election
Beliefnet 24Jan01 T4
Religious Groups and 2000 Presidential Coalitions
Beliefnet 24Jan01 T4
How the Faithful Voted: Religion and the 2000 Presidential Election
Beliefnet 24Jan01 T4
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