Pews & Cues: How Black Church Culture Shapes Black American Policy Preferences

• In Event: Poster Session: Change and Continuity in Religion and Politics & Public Administration
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Change and Continuity in Religion and Politics

Abstract

As the Black Church is notably the oldest and most influential institution governing the social and political lives of Black Americans, this research seeks to differentiate between non-church attendees who still fall within what I call a “moral-political community” (MPC) and those who no longer find personal nor political value in the Black Church and its worldviews. More specifically, this research proposes gospel music as an innovative approach to capturing the Black Church's true reach among Black Americans. For centuries, Black religious music has mapped an evangelical Christian faith onto social realities in the United States. By assessing the frequency and occasion upon which Black Americans still listen to gospel music, this paper demonstrates that in addition to politicized racial identities, Black Americans often carry Black Church-derived moral identities that inform their opinions on policies. I argue that socialization by Black Church religious culture has a distinct effect on Black political decision-making, resulting in an identifiable moral-political community that sides with the marginalized. As Black Church culture emphasizes moral aphorisms such as "hate the sin, not the sinner", members of the MPC are equipped to develop moral preferences for liberal policies even when members hold conservative religious beliefs.

Author

• Chloe Ricks, University of Pennsylvania