The political polarization of religious and non-religious people in America

[All Along The Watchtower]

Why is this?

The two main political parties, by the way, weren't nearly as divided even 30 years ago by religious beliefs (or lack thereof) as they are today. There were plenty of Democrats who were regular church-goers just a generation ago, moreso than the current divide (Of course, I realize that the religious vs non-religious divide really applies only to white non-Hispanic Americans, as there are plenty of churchgoing Democrats when you look at racial and ethnic minorities.... )

What changed? Is this a result of the "Culture Wars" or the growing urban-rural divide between the parties?

[All Along The Watchtower]

It's mostly a result of the culture wars. Quite a bit of American culture has changed over the last half century and thus politics will be divided for the forseable future between those who agree and disagree with those changes. These types of issues also tend to be ones with a more black-and-white feel to opinions on them, as opposed to taxes which at least in theory lends itself to an easier compromise.

So to go further with this...from what I understand, the "Culture Wars" are dominated (on both sides) by upper-middle class white activists and organizers. Make sense, since affluent people aren't as concerned with economic issues and daily needs as the working class in general, no?

[All Along The Watchtower]

Evangelical blacks are by far the most Democratic voter group.

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[All Along The Watchtower]

(and is why white Catholics are still much more Democratic than white Protestants, even if both voted for Romney).

Don't let BRTD know this.