
New Data on White American Evangelicals and Healthcare | by Rich A. Rosendahl
White American Evangelicals (WAE’s) make up almost 1 in 5 adults in the US and this sizable and influential group has certainly been making waves on some key political and social issues lately. For example, data suggests about 76% of WAE’s supported the original Muslim Ban (via Pew Research) This means roughly 35 million adult Americans supported banning an incredible vulnerable group of people who have a hell of lot in common with the supposed central figure of their religion, Jesus. I wrote more on this tragic irony here: Was Jesus A Terrorist?
Additionally, there was another recent poll that asked WAE’s how they felt about the police treatment of minorities. Despite the spike in heart wrenching video evidence, heartbreaking hashtags and a pattern of shocking acquittals, 68% of WAE’s feel the police treatment of minorities in this country is good or excellent (via Pew Research) To put that in perspective, there are about the same number of adult WAE’s who feel this way as the TOTAL number of adult Black American’s living in the US.
What about healthcare?
As the healthcare debate rages, a recent study by Pew Research reveals how White American Evangelicals feel about who is responsible to make sure American’s have health insurance. And once again, a significant majority is revealed in that only 34% of WAE’s feel it is the Government’s responsibility to make sure all American’s have health care coverage. This is less than half as many Black (non-hisp) Protestants (84%), those Unaffiliated (70%), and almost half as many Catholics (64%).
This new data highlights, once again, there is a significant majority of WAE’s whose views seem to heavily contradict the teachings of their religions central figure — Jesus. And when we consider the size and influence this group has in American society, we must also consider ways to resist and upend this ideology for a more peaceful, fruitful and Loving future for all. Including for the millions of Americans who couldn’t otherwise afford quality healthcare.
by Rich A. Rosendahl
