The Impact of Watching Fox News on the Perceptions of Christianity under Threat

• In Event: Poster Session: New Perspectives in Political Science Research: Scholarship by Vanderbilt REU Students

Abstract

Within recent years, Right-wing media increasingly portray Christianity and Christian values in the United States as under attack. I assess the differences on the perceptions of Christian nationalism following the viewing of Fox News by different groups using 2020 UCLA Nationscape Survey Data. My findings suggest that Fox News viewers are more likely to agree that Christianity is under threat compared to non-viewers even after allowing for differences concerning viewership, partisanship, and other factors. The rhetoric surrounding Christianity found similarly in Fox News coverage at the time has led to public displays, movements, and policy pushes based on “saving America” and returning to its traditionalist values. Previous research on Christian nationalism finds a link between Christian nationalist thinking and negative attitudes towards racial minorities, women, and other religions as well as support for conservatism and presidential candidate Donald Trump. There is little research, however, to understand where this thinking may convene and what sources drive these views. My research helps to contribute to understanding one political news source’s impact on political thinking.

Author

• Caitlyn Kelley Cullen, Vanderbilt ABCD REU / University of Louisiana Monroe