Born-again Christians overwhelmingly disdain both presidential candidates. The vast majority (70 percent) denied that either candidate is more “authentically Christian” than the other, according to the Barna Group’s latest survey. Moreover, neither Clinton nor Trump has convinced the majority of born-again Christians that their character traits make them the superior candidate.
Most born-again Christians have either reconciled themselves to voting for Clinton or Trump simply because they dislike the other candidate even more, or plan to vote for a third-party candidate. Only 40 percent of those who supported Clinton said it was because they actually liked her, while only 33 percent of Trump supporters said the same. Eighty-four percent of those who said they supported a third-party candidate admitted it was primarily because they disliked both Clinton and Trump, not because they actually liked the third-party candidate.
“Currently, six out of ten Americans plan to vote for a candidate they don’t care for primarily because they are so disgusted by the other option,” said George Barna, special election analyst and founder of the Barna Group. “This election represents an ideal opportunity for a third-party candidate to burst onto the scene, but the data show that few voters like the third-party candidates any better.”
The Barna Group also asked whether Clinton or Trump better demonstrated eight specific qualities. Clinton beat Trump in six categories, and the candidates tied (within the margin of error) in two categories. Although not a majority, a much greater number of born-again Christians said Clinton was more “presidential,” “respected by other leaders,” “able to work with people who have different views,” and a more “effective communicator” than Trump. By a narrower margin they said Clinton was more “authentically Christian” and more of a “strategic thinker.” Respondents were statistically tied on which candidate was more “trustworthy” and more “patriotic.”
“Enormous numbers of voters simply are not convinced that either of the major-party candidates is presidential, trustworthy, respectable, or ethical,” Barna commented. “Those characteristics are very important to the American people.”
The survey was based on responses collected online September 12-19. The results were published on October 13. The Barna Group defined born-again Christians as having “made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today and believe that, when they die, they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.”
Comment by Skipper on October 21, 2016 at 2:32 pm
There were “decent” candidates out there, such as Dr. Ben Carson, but where was support for them early on? The seventy percent did not show their support very much. This is what happens when the majority does nothing. Still, there is some choice left. We know what the president and former President did with the Supreme Court nominees. We don’t want more of that! They paid God no attention in redefining marriage. How will they redefine marriage next time? Lets not find out.
Comment by Roger on October 23, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Hillary is a so called Methodist. Her record of alleged corruption has followed her for 30 years. An honest person would not have that kind of rain cloud hanging over them for that many years without it being somewhat true. Her values and what she supports is mostly against the principles of the Bible. Democrats support all the things that hinder honest elections, voter ID, voting illegals, etc.
Trump is a so called Presbyterian. He is not a mature Christian yet. His personal contract with American voters, tells you what principles he supports. The Supreme Court is a key issue. He has chosen Conservative prospects for Nominees.
Christian must remember that God put King Cyrus in charge of the Jews back in BC days. Yet the nation of Israel flourished under his reign and he was a Gentile. We will not get a perfect Christian Candidate. Polls show that only 1 in 5 people attend a religious entity every week faithfully. Christians are outnumbered by non-church people. Vote for the one who comes close to your Values.