The big divide over the influence of religion in politics remains always to be a source of controversy as well as exploited over by politicians and some religious leaders and organizations. It is undeniably true that this will continue in many, many years to come. There are various opinions concerning why and how churches are influencing voting behavior. Three articles are worthy to discuss: Firstly, Davidson’s Why Churches cannot endorse or oppose political candidates, Page’s Churchgoing closely tied to voting patterns, and Wald and Calhoun-Brown’s Religion and Politics in the United States directing the targeted issue.
In Davidson’s article, the author elucidated the reasons why churches cannot endorse or oppose not because on electioneering grounds but because this is mandated by the IRS as churches are tax-exempt. When churches make a stand to oppose or recommend any of their choiced candidates or political parties, they will be will held liable to the government’s revenue system as policies are clearly in place regarding the extent of their role or influence (Davidson, 1998).Susan Page’s article is more direct in succinctly pointing out the kind of churchgoers who will likely to vote either the Republicans or the Democrats. The author looks at patterns that show this tendency and the reasons that politicians take their speeches or dialogues seriously and more so their acquaintances and alliances. Studies reveal that the more church going a person is the likelihood for that person to vote for Republicans and, the less churchgoing, the more likelihood that that person will vote for the Democrats (Page, 2004).
Lastly, authors Wald & Calhoun-Brown tackle a comprehensive look at major religions especially their distinctions and the flavor they bring in to the world of politics. An exhaustive resource or reference on politics and how ingrained religion continues to play directly and indirectly on the landscape, it shows that any would-be political leader never will underestimate his/her own religious persuasion or beliefs and those of the voting population (2006).
