The Awesome Blue God -- How Obama Forged A New Faith Coalition [barf alert]

Christianity Today ^ | November 4, 2008 | Steven Waldman

[Alex Murphy]

Though the economy clearly was the defining issue of the election, Obama forged a new coalition by luring millions of religious voters who had avoided Democrats in recent years.

In short:

He narrowed the God Gap. Bush beat Kerry among weekly church-goers by 61%-39%. McCain is beating Obama 54%-44% Most of that gain appears to have come from Protestants rather than Catholics

He won Catholics back. Early exit polls indicate he won 54% of the Catholic vote compared to 45% for John McCain. George W. Bush won the Catholic vote 52%-46%. Most of those gains came from Catholics who don't attend mass weekly.

He also improved among white Catholics, according to the early exit polls. Bush got 56%-43% As of now, McCain lead by just 51%-49% This was despite an aggressive push by more than 50 Bishops to encourage Catholics to focus on abortion as the central issue.

Real improvements among Evangelicals. Evangelicals and Born Again Christians made up a greater portion of the electorate this year than last election but that didn't all accrue to McCain's benefit, as predict. Obama improved slightly on a national level, getting 25% compared to Kerry's 21%

But far more important, he made significant progress in the pivotal rustbelt states that won him the election. For instance, evangelicals flooded the polls in Ohio and Obama significantly improved on Kerry's showing.

Some gains among Mainline Protestants -- Though shifting toward the center in recent years, mainline Protestants -- once a core of the Republican party -- - still went for the Republicans in 2004. The exit polls didn't ask specifically about mainline Protestants but it appears Obama improved slightly with this group.

[Alex Murphy]

By the numbers:

54% McCain, 44% Obama - Weekly church-goers
45% McCain, 54% Obama - Catholics
51% McCain, 49% Obama - White Catholics
75% McCain, 25% Obama - Evangelicals
38% McCain, 61% Obama - Occasional churchgoers

[wideawake]

"Most of those gains came from Catholics who don't attend Mass weekly."

So his gains among Catholics came from functional non-Catholics.

[HarleyD]

Say here is an interesting article that may explain some of these numbers considering a good many supporters were young.

A New Generation Expresses its Skepticism and Frustration with Christianity

[TNCMAXQ]

Once the vile FOCA is in place we’ll see how many Catholics and pro life people who voted for him will wake up. “But I thought he would heal the abortion divides!” they say. They are just blind to reality.

When Catholic hospitals have to threaten to close when they are forced to perform abortions we’ll see how communities like that.

[Philo-Junius]

"So his gains among Catholics came from functional non-Catholics."

Catholic is something you are, not something you do. Performance just shows how bad a Catholic you are. Obama just dominated among "Bad Catholics."

What one would expect, really.

[wmfights]

75% McCain, 25% Obama - Evangelicals

I wonder how they broke this number out from;

54% McCain, 44% Obama - Weekly church-goers

I wonder how the amillenialists feel about this. I see a great falling away isn't that only a premillenialist belief?

No matter it is very sad to see so many who claim to be Christians support someone who has supported infanticide.

[denydenydeny]

The only consolation is that the schadenfreude is going to be delicious.

[Salvation]

~ PRAYER ~

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle
 Be our protection against the wickedness
and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we  humbly pray,
 and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
 by the power of God,
 Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
 Amen
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