Political Congregations, Race, and Environmental Policy Attitudes

Abstract

Using data from eight surveys collected between 1996 and 2016, this study examines race differences in the association between hearing sermons about environmental and other social-political issues and support for policies aimed at protecting the environment. While accounting for religious faith, political partisanship, and social-demographic characteristics, we find that Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to hear sermons about environmental and other social-political issues. However, hearing such messages more strongly associates with Whites supporting environmental conservation policies than it does for Blacks and Hispanics.