Prayers & Policies

Religious Values in Political Decision-Making: Born vs. Converted.

There has been a long-standing relationship between religion and politics, which has long intrigued policymakers and political scientists. As individuals begin to form and understand their spiritual beliefs and engage in civic life, they often become involved in political discussions, raising many questions:

1. How does religious affiliation influence an individual's political party preference?

2. To what extent do religious values shape policy preferences?

3. Is there a correlation between religious participation and voting behavior?

While acknowledging the close ties between religion and politics, another idea stands out even more: Does having religious beliefs significantly influence an individual's political views more than if they do not hold any religious ideals?

The Literature

Previous studies have attempted to explore the intricate relationship between religion and politics. Scholars have investigated how religious beliefs shape political attitudes, but limited studies have examined whether being born into a religion versus adopting one changes people's perspectives.

H. Zeynep Bulutgil

The Origins of Secular Institutions

Investigates why some countries adopt secular institutions while others do not. Focuses on the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas and the value of associations. Notes that unlike religious actors, secularizing groups face challenges in recruiting support due to a lack of pre-existing structures.

Vineeta Yadav (2021)

Religious Parties & Civil Liberties

Focuses on Muslim-majority countries. Investigates how religious parties influence civil liberties. Yadav asks: "Will the success of religious parties lead to declines in civil liberties?" She utilizes data spanning 40 years to track religious lobbies and government actions.

Grzymała-Busse (2023)

Sacred Foundations

Challenges narratives regarding religion and politics in Europe. Emphasizes the role of the medieval Catholic Church in state formation. Argues that conflicts with the papacy actually led to the emergence of secular state institutions and strengthened state capacity.

Born vs. Converted

Research has extensively explored the relationship between a state's politics and religious influence, while less attention has been given to the effects of religious conversion on an individual's political bias. The critical question is:

"To what extent does adopting a religion through conversion influence an individual's political affiliation compared to those born into a religion?"

Hypothesis: Religious conversion has a significant impact on an individual's political biases. While a religious upbringing establishes foundational values, conversion introduces new perspectives and may alter previous political preferences.

Individuals born into a religion often inherit their religious beliefs and associated political ideologies from their families. However, converts undergo a transformative experience. These new perspectives may challenge their existing political biases, leading converts to exhibit more fluid political affiliations compared to those with deep-rooted religious backgrounds.

Methodology

An efficient methodology is needed to understand the dynamics of religious conversion on an individual level. This study proposes three distinct approaches:

Comparative Surveys Conducting surveys among individuals who have converted to a religion and those born into religious families. By assessing their political engagement and issue priorities, we can compare the perspectives of converts versus those who grew up in a religious context.
Historical Case Studies Examining notable historical figures who shifted their religious affiliations to analyze corresponding changes in their political behavior. This allows for an exploration of long-term effects and patterns.
Qualitative Interviews In-depth interviews with converts to explore personal experiences, motivations for conversion, and transformations in political views. This provides a nuanced understanding of the interplay between identity and affiliation.

References

Cooperman, A. (2023, May 10). Most U.S. parents pass along their religion and politics to their children. Pew Research Center.

Froese, P. (2014). Religion and American Politics from a Global Perspective. Religions, 5(3), 648–662.

Glazier, R. A. (2019). The Differential Impact of Religion on Political Activity and Community Engagement. Review of Religious Research, 62(1), 1–26.

Grzymała-Busse, A. M. (2023). Sacred Foundations. Princeton University Press.

H. Zeynep Bulutgil. (2022). The Origins of Secular Institutions. Oxford University Press.

Moon, M. (2023). Toward an integrated analysis of social movements and new religious movements research. Sociology Compass.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER. (2019). Americans Have Positive Views About Religion's Role in Society, but Want It Out of Politics.

Science On Religion. (2014, April 10). Five ways religion can influence political beliefs.

Stenmark, M. (2022). Religion and Its Public Critics. Religions, 13(7) 572.

Yadav, V. (2021). Religious Parties and the Politics of Civil Liberties. Oxford University Press.