Poll Says: Republicans Like Churches More Than Democrats Do

Most members of the American public like churches but dislike banks and news media, new research shows.

Republicans are far more positive towards churches than Democrats, the report says.

Pew Research surveyed more than 1,000 adults in August and September on their views of six "institutions": churches and religious organisations; large corporations; banks and financial institutions; national news media, colleges and universities and trade unions.

Just two of the six institutions, churches and colleges, were viewed "positively", each by nearly six in ten people.

And where there was hostility, it was directed most strongly at the mainstream media.

Seven in ten people said news media affect things negatively. Just one in five believed the media have a positive effect on life in the United States.

Republicans were most hostile to news media, with more than eight in ten believing in its negative effect.

Large differences between Republicans and Democrats on impact of churches, news media, colleges and labor unions

This contrasted with views on churches and religious organisations, where more than seven in ten Republicans said they have a positive effect compared to fewer than half of Democrats.

News media seen by majority as having a negative effect on the nation

More Democrats than Republicans were negative about the effects of banks and corporations on life in the US.

Report author Abigail Geiger writes: "Fewer than half of Republicans (34 per cent) and Democrats (26 per cent) say corporations have a positive impact; 39 per cent of Republicans and 32 per cent of Democrats say banks have a positive impact."

She tweeted: 

News
Between two cultures: an Afghan Christian in the Netherlands
Between two cultures: an Afghan Christian in the Netherlands

Esther*, who was born in Afghanistan and raised in the Netherlands after her family fled the country when she was three, speaks to Christian Today about her journey of faith, life between two cultures, and her hopes and fears for Afghanistan’s future.

The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens

Seventy years ago, in February 1956, the BBC aired the mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth”, which was the first filming of the life of Jesus to be created for television. This is the story …

Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes
Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes

Christians are being asked to urge peers to support amendments tabled by Baronesses Monckton and Stroud.

Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror
Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror

The faithful are returning “in their thousands, not hundreds” despite more than a decade of brutal violence.