ABSTRACT
Religion is an important cognitive source of moral and ethical guidance in the lives of individuals. Religion helps individuals determine their identity, structure worldviews, and establish guidelines for appropriate social thought and behavior. Churches are important institutional entities, for they contribute to the formation of values and help people make sense of the world in which they live. In total, religion and church, by affecting religious life, may plausibly affect and influence one’s outlook on politics. More specifically, religion and church may structure and determine political attitudes. Since many public policies and political figures work to advance or hinder the interests of social groups and the ways of life they prefer, religion, as a binding and guiding force, may take on political relevance. Through church, members gain an awareness of political issues from a spiritual or moral perspective, they are encouraged to join civic-and community-enhancing activities, and they develop a value system by which social obligations transcend self-interest (Wald 1992).
