Religious Identity in U.S. Politics

While existing scholarship addresses the influence of religious affiliation on political attitudes and behaviors in the United States, a number of puzzling questions remain unanswered. In response, Matthew Miles demonstrates that a more complete conceptualization of religion as a social identity can help to explain many of those puzzles. As he explores the impact, both positive and negative, of religious identity on political attitudes, he also shows that the religion-politics relationship is not a one-way street.

The role of religious identity in US politics -- Defining religious identity -- Religious identity and support for members of Congress -- Religious identity and political trust: the Obama era -- Christian identity and anti-atheist intolerance -- The religious divide -- When religious and partisan social identities collide -- How political identities influence religious beliefs -- Is reconciliation possible?