paradox wrote:The data claims that it's a majority opinion. In other words, a majority of Christians value anti-immigration views over right to life. Of course, there are some people who fit that category, probably even more so in a border state. But a majority? That's a huge stretch. Majority opinions tend to be more obvious to those on the inside. But then again, who are we even talking about? Who even says "white evangelical?" Sound like Irish Catholic or Russian Orthodox. You know, some nominal thing that you're born into. Who are the "white evangelicals?" Where is the data on that? For all we know, it could include a sizable amount of individuals who simply identify in a cultural sense with no real affiliation.
You asked if anyone knew people in church who fit the data so I shared that I did. I know a lot of others who do as well. I wouldn't doubt that it's a majority.
However, I also agree that "White Evangelical" is a label that includes a lot of people who really aren't "evangelical" at all and probably couldn't explain the gospel if asked.
But, at least from people I know, there are a lot of folks who would consider themselves strong Christians who fit this data.
It's anecdotal, but that's what you asked for. I don't know whether this data is accurate or not. I'm skeptical of a lot of polling data and statistics. But based on what I've seen over the last several years where I live (Lynchburg area) and where my family lives (Northern California and North Carolina), it seems plausible.
There are huge issues facing the church body today and a lot of them have to do with how people are reconciling the messages from their political leaders with the messages from the Bible and/or the biblical teaching from their pastor.
On both the left and right, political leaders love to tell us what we should be caring about. They have influence and people change what is important to them based on that influence. Is this a failure of church leadership? Probably.
We're in a dangerous place anytime we allow our priorities to blindly follow the priorities of political leaders.