America’s Catholics are becoming more polarized and diverse

Recommended by Matthew Brown, Deseret News

Published: Wednesday, July 11 2012 8:44 a.m. MDT

Summary

While American Catholics can find doctrinal justification for voting right or left, this article suggests religious Catholics are increasingly finding their values align on the right.

Our take: While American Catholics can find doctrinal justification for voting right or left, this article suggests religious Catholics are increasingly finding their values align on the right with other religious Christians and that's a shift that's had consequences for Democrats.

"Between 2008 and 2011 the number of American Catholics who identified themselves as, or leaned towards, the Democrats fell by five points, while those who were, or leaned, Republican rose by six; Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee, enjoys a commanding lead among very or moderately religious white Catholics. Among white Catholics, the rightward drift has been more pronounced, while the opposite is true for Hispanic Catholics, 71% of whom identify or lean Democratic, as opposed to 68% in 2008."

Read more about Catholicism in America on The Economist.

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atl134

Salt Lake City, UT

@Counter Intelligence
I value those who aren't blind followers of a church and will actually thoughtfully consider the things they believe.

11:22 a.m. July 11, 2012
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atl134

Salt Lake City, UT

@Counter Intelligence
Besides, you forgot about Paul Ryan, someone proposing a budget sharply opposed by Catholic teachings about providing for the poor. Catholic church political views are very fiscally liberal while being socially More..

11:24 a.m. July 11, 2012
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atl134

Salt Lake City, UT

@Counter Intelligence
"And if you don’t believe a specific church - find one you do."

Maybe some people believe there is no church that is 100% true. It's a pretty commonly held position and it's where I am More..

3:53 p.m. July 11, 2012
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