Sometimes political commentators are prone to describe Christians with sweeping generalities and stereotypes. That is particularly true when speaking of Christians in the southern region of the United States and especially true during seasons of political debate.
Perhaps there is some justification for that. It is true that most of the 10 states with the highest percentage of Protestant Christians among their populations (including Alabama) are located in the Southeast. In those 10 states, Baptists make up the highest percentage of Protestant Christians in most cases. Baptists in Alabama, for example, make up about 42 percent of Protestant Christians. Methodists are a distant second.
But that fact belies the diversity among Christians in Alabama and elsewhere. As demonstrated by a recent study by Pew Research, Christians in Alabama are different demographically, theologically and socially.
For one thing there are as many Christians in Alabama age 18–29 as there are 65 and over. Pew found both groups make up 19 percent of the state’s Christians. Another surprise is that the 30–49 age group makes up a larger percentage of the Christian population than the 50–64 age group — 34 percent to 28 percent, respectively.
Said another way Alabama has more Millennial and Generation X Christians than it does baby boomers and Silent Generation Christians. Pew found younger and older Millennials accounted for 25 percent of Alabama Christians while Generation X made up 28 percent — a total of 53 percent. Baby boomers totaled 33 percent of the total and the Silent Generation made up 13 percent for a total of 46 percent. The Greatest Generation accounted for 1 percent.
Gender breakdown
The gender breakdown for Christians nearly reflects the state’s population. Men make up 47 percent of Alabama Christians, Pew found, while making up 48.5 percent of the population. Women compose 53 percent of Christians and 51.5 percent of the population.
Racially, Alabama reports 68 percent of its population as white, 26 percent as black and 3 percent as Latino. The Christian breakdown is 66 percent white, 27 percent black and 4 percent Latino. Other categories claim the remaining 3 percent.
Marital status begins to reveal significant differences. Almost half of Alabama’s Christian population is not currently married. The study found 20 percent of Christians divorced or separated, 18 percent never married, 6 percent widowed and 2 percent live with a partner. Currently married Christians make up only 54 percent of Alabama’s Christians.
Educationally and economically, Christians are more heavily represented at the lower end of the scales. Almost half of the Christians (46 percent) report their highest educational achievement as high school or less. Not surprisingly, 41 percent of Alabama Christians report an annual income of less than $30,000.
Only 21 percent of Christians report a college or post-graduate degree. Fifteen percent of Christians report a salary of $100,000 or more while 22 percent report income between $50,000 and $99,999.
Practically all Alabama Christians (96 percent) say their faith is important to their lives. Eighty-eight percent attend services at least once or twice a month with 55 percent attending weekly. Daily prayer is practiced by 80 percent and 66 percent participate in small groups.
But participation does not lead Alabama Christians to the same conclusions. More than half (54 percent) believe right and wrong depends on the situation. Only 44 percent believe in absolute moral standards for right and wrong. While 55 percent report religion as a source for guidance about right and wrong, 36 percent cite common sense, reason or science as their first choice.
Politically 55 percent of Alabama Christians describe themselves as conservative, 27 percent as moderate, 10 percent as liberal and 8 percent said they did not know.
When ideology was translated to party affiliation, 52 percent claimed Republican leanings while 35 percent leaned toward the Democrats. No leaning was the position of 12 percent.
Those differences could be seen on some specific issues.
When asked about environmental regulations, 49 percent of Alabama Christians said stricter laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Forty-three percent said stricter environmental laws and regulations were worth the costs.
Regarding homosexuality, 37 percent said it should be accepted, 56 percent said it should be discouraged and 4 percent said both sides of acceptance/discouragement were equal.
Fifty-six percent of Alabama Christians support smaller government and fewer governmental services while 38 percent favored bigger government and more services. Three percent said the response of government should depend on the situation.
When it comes to helping the poor, 53 percent said government aid does more harm than good and 39 percent said it did more good than harm.
Same-sex “marriage” and abortion were both opposed by 62 percent of Alabama Christians. Twenty-nine percent favored same-sex “marriage” and 34 percent supported abortion in all or most cases.
Looking over the results from the Pew Research Center study it becomes clear that being certain about one’s belief in God (98 percent) or one’s belief in heaven (90 percent) does not mean Christians see other theological and social issues alike.
Significant differences
Even though Alabama could be called a homogeneous state with less diversity than many parts of the nation, we still have significant differences. Recognizing this reality is important for the Church more than the politician. Politicians desire a majority on a particular issue. The Church attempts to enlist everyone with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Churches require wise and sensitive leadership because even among its members, about 4 out of every 10 members are likely to hold a different view than the majority on most any issue.
Like the apostle Paul we can violate no principle of God in order to gain a hearing but as the Church we must use every lawful means in order to win some.
Recognizing that different positions are already reflected among church members is a starting place. Most churches already have young and old, rich and poor, male and female, Republicans and Democrats among their members. They have different life experiences and outlooks based on members who may be black, white, Asian or Hispanic.
The gospel invitation is for all to come to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Then, together, we study what the Bible teaches about issues such as care for the poor, care for creation, the gifts of life and sexuality and other important issues.
That leaves no room for jumping to conclusions based on generalities and stereotypes. Enlisting all in the service of Christ is the goal.
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