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The Religious Affiliation of Representatives and Support for Funding the Iraq War

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2011

Todd A. Collins ,
Kenneth A. Wink ,
James L. Guth  and
C. Don Livingston
Todd A. Collins*
Affiliation:
Western Carolina University
Kenneth A. Wink*
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Tyler
James L. Guth*
Affiliation:
Furman University
C. Don Livingston*
Affiliation:
Western Carolina University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Todd A. Collins, Western Carolina University, Department of Political Science, 344 Stillwell Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723. E-mail: [email protected]
Kenneth A. Wink, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75799. E-mail: [email protected]
James L. Guth, Furman University, Greenville, NC 29613. E-mail: [email protected]
C. Don Livingston, Western Carolina University, Department of Political Science, 344 Stillwell Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

In this article, we add to the evolving literature examining the importance of religious orientation and political elite behavior. We use data on the religious affiliations of United States House of Representative members to test the influence of religion on military funding for the “War on Terror.” Our findings indicate that, even after controlling for traditional political factors, such as ideology and partisanship, representatives' religious backgrounds often played a role in support for this bill. Roman Catholics, African-American Protestants, and those of other religions and the non-religious were more strongly opposed to funding for military intervention than mainline Protestants, even after controlling for other factors. This article provides a further look at the influence of religion and suggests that factors outside the traditional political dynamics may also be important in examining elite behaviors.

Type
Articles
Information
Politics and Religion , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , December 2011 , pp. 550 - 568
Copyright
Copyright © Religion and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association 2011

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