Megachurch Influence in Politics: Variations Between States

• In Event: New Political Science & Religion and Politics Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual Poster Session: Religion and Politics Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Religious identity and politics are tied together in a near-inextricable way. Recent scholars have gone to great lengths to disentangle the relationship between individuals' religious and political preferences. However, relatively little research has been done on religious influence from an institutional perspective. Aside from the study of politicians' religious invocations, there is a limited body of work that examines national legislators' personal religious preferences via self-reports and observed behavior. Past research makes one thing clear: religion matters. Yet, the relationship between politicians and religious institutions (i.e., churches) is still unclear. In this paper, I look beyond the individual and examine how megachurches might be utilized for electoral gain. By modeling megachurches as interest groups, I uncover compelling evidence that they can act as policy influencers and election mobilizers with significant variation across states.

Author

• Tristan Hightower, University of Maryland, College Park