(RNS) — The spiritual make-up of the new Congress bucks the developments found in American spiritual lifestyle, a new report finds.
The Pew Analysis Middle claims the Senate and Residence customers are “largely untouched” by the continuing reduce in the part of People who determine as Christian and the similar enhance in the share of people who say they do not have a religious affiliation.
Christians comprise 88% of the voting users of the 118th Congress who are expected to be sworn in this 7 days (7 days of Jan. 3), a range that has not adjusted significantly since the 1970s, when 91% of associates stated they ended up affiliated with that religion.
The American population, on the other hand, has seen a drop in people identifying as Christians, from 78% in 2007 to 63% at this time. Shut to 3 in 10 People in america (29%) say they are religiously unaffiliated — atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular” — a significantly greater portion than 16% in 2007.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an unbiased from Arizona, remains the only member of the new Congress who works by using the description of religiously unaffiliated. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., described himself as humanist. Huffman also explained he was “the token humanist in Congress” when he spoke by way of videotaped remarks to the Flexibility From Religion Foundation’s yearly convention in Oct.
“The spiritual makeup of the 118th Congress” Graphic courtesy of Pew Investigation Heart
A different 20 associates are outlined as obtaining no regarded spiritual affiliations. Most of them declined to condition an affiliation when questioned by CQ Roll Connect with, whose info is the major source of analysis for the Pew biennial report. The “Faith on the Hill” report observed that Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., was “moved to this classification pursuing revelations that he misrepresented elements of his lifestyle tale and resume throughout his 2022 midterm campaign.”
Related: 117th Congress, like the old, is overwhelmingly Christian, closely Protestant
The number of Christians — 469 — within the new Congress does mark the cheapest variety due to the fact Pew commenced its evaluation of spiritual affiliation of the 111th Congress at the commencing of the 2009-10 session. But just by a hair. The amount of Christians in Congress was above 470 in the eight most the latest sessions and exceeded 500 as of 1970.
“Changes in the religious makeup of Congress (1961-2023)” Graphic courtesy of Pew Research Middle
In general, the 118th Congress looks comparable to the former body when comparing the two religiously.
Of the 534 overall congressional members, 303 Protestants are currently being sworn in for the 2023-24 session, compared to 297 in the just one that just finished. The range of Baptists remained the very same — at 67 — while the quantity of Methodists and Episcopalians dropped by four just about every Presbyterians experienced one particular less member. Catholics observed a fall of 10, with a new overall of 148, but continue to comprise a greater share of Congress (28%) than they do the general U.S. inhabitants (21%).
“118th U.S. Congress is additional Protestant than the normal population” Graphic courtesy of Pew Exploration Middle
The members of Congress aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon church, remained unchanged: nine. And the amount of Orthodox Christians amplified by just one to 8. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is the sole member of the new Congress who identifies herself as Messianic Jewish she has also described herself as a Christian.
The range of Jews lowered by 1 to 33 members and all a few Muslims and two Hindus ended up reelected in the House as nicely as all 3 members who identify as Unitarian Universalist.
Listed here are some of the other conclusions linked to Congress’ spiritual makeup:
- Each chambers are dominated by Christians numerically.
- Just about all Republicans — 268 out of 271 — and a few quarters of Democrats — 201 of 263 — detect them selves as Christians.
- All 9 members of Congress who are Mormons are Republicans though Orthodox Christians are evenly break up, with 4 from every main political social gathering.
- Pretty much two-thirds (64%) of newcomers to Congress are Protestant a bit far more than 50 % (55%) of incumbents identify with that department of Christianity.
- There are less Catholic initially-timers than returning customers of Congress (22% in contrast with 29%).
Associated: Study: New Congress showcases spiritual variety but is nevertheless mainly Christian
