Most Protestant pastors think Bush, Palin are Christians but not Obama
Dec 07, 2010
by Adelle M. Banks
WASHINGTON (RNS) The vast majority of Protestant pastors think
former President George W. Bush is a Christian, but less than half think
President Obama is, a new LifeWay Research survey shows.
Three-quarters of Protestant pastors surveyed called Bush a Christian, followed by 66 percent who included former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in the Christian fold. Just 41 percent said they believe Obama is a Christian.
About a quarter of pastors surveyed -- 27 -- percent said conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck, a Mormon, is a Christian. Oprah Winfrey came in last of the five personalities mentioned in the survey, with only 19 percent calling her a Christian.
"Most Americans consider themselves Christian and, for many of them, the `Oprahfication' of American spirituality has been a good thing," said Ed Stetzer, president of the Southern Baptist-affiliated research group. "Yet, the overwhelming majority of Protestant pastors don't view Oprah as a Christian."
Stetzer said the responses may indicate that Protestant pastors are more particular than other people when considering who is and is not a Christian. For some pastors, being "Christian" is synonymous with being "born again" or "evangelical," he said.
"Using their standard, the majority would not agree that President Obama is a Christian, though he is a mainline Protestant," Stetzer said. "And it is likely that Glenn Beck's Mormonism, widely viewed by Protestants as a different religion rather than a different Christian denomination, probably caused many to indicate he is not a Christian."
The results are based on telephone interviews with Protestant pastors Oct. 7-14 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
Three-quarters of Protestant pastors surveyed called Bush a Christian, followed by 66 percent who included former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in the Christian fold. Just 41 percent said they believe Obama is a Christian.
About a quarter of pastors surveyed -- 27 -- percent said conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck, a Mormon, is a Christian. Oprah Winfrey came in last of the five personalities mentioned in the survey, with only 19 percent calling her a Christian.
"Most Americans consider themselves Christian and, for many of them, the `Oprahfication' of American spirituality has been a good thing," said Ed Stetzer, president of the Southern Baptist-affiliated research group. "Yet, the overwhelming majority of Protestant pastors don't view Oprah as a Christian."
Stetzer said the responses may indicate that Protestant pastors are more particular than other people when considering who is and is not a Christian. For some pastors, being "Christian" is synonymous with being "born again" or "evangelical," he said.
"Using their standard, the majority would not agree that President Obama is a Christian, though he is a mainline Protestant," Stetzer said. "And it is likely that Glenn Beck's Mormonism, widely viewed by Protestants as a different religion rather than a different Christian denomination, probably caused many to indicate he is not a Christian."
The results are based on telephone interviews with Protestant pastors Oct. 7-14 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
