Future Looks Bright For Progressives

The charts above were made from information contained in the recent Public Religion Research Institute survey (Taken between May 30th and June 16th of a nationwide sample of 2,002 adults -- with a margin of error of 2.6 points).

This survey was not so much about religion as it was about the politics of religious people. And the survey's results should give progressives reason to cheer, because it shows that the nation is moving toward a more progressive point of view. The group with the largest number of religious conservatives (48%) is the "Silent Generation" -- Americans between the ages of 66 and 88. When all age groups are considered, the number of religious conservatives drops to about 28%. And when only "Millennials) are considered, those between 18 and 33, the number of religious conservatives drops even further -- down to only 17%.

And the opposite is true of religious progressives -- going from 12% in the Silent Generation, to 19% in the General Public, and 23% among Millennials. The non-religious (a group identified by a Pew Research survey as voting mostly for progressives) are also growing -- going from 10% among the Silent Generation, to 15% among the General Public, and to 22% among the Millennials. Clearly, this country has moved away from conservatives and toward progressives -- and will do so even more as members of the Silent Generation die off and are replaced by more progressive younger voters. Here is how Dr. Robert P. Jones, cep of the Public Religion Research Institute, sums up his survey:

“Our new research shows a complex religious landscape, with religious conservatives holding an advantage over religious progressives in terms of size and homogeneity. However, the percentage of religious conservatives shrinks in each successive generation, with religious progressives outnumbering religious conservatives in the Millennial generation.”

Now some may think that as the Millennials grow older, they will become more conservative in their political views (a popular belief among conservatives). I think it is much more likely, a studies have shown, that these young Millennials are developing voting habits that will stay with them as they grow older (much like the voting habits many older Americans developed years ago in a much more conservative America).

The fact is that many young Americans are being turned off by the accusatory and exclusionary attitudes of conservative (fundamentalist) religious people (who would condemn anyone with a different point of view). Some of these young people are finding a home in a progressive religious community, and others are abandoning religion. But whatever their choice about religion, they are voting in a much more progressive fashion than their elders.

And when you look at some of the individual questions asked by the survey, there is even more good news for progressives. Although the General Public (composed of all ages and religious views) currently has more conservatives (28%) than progressives (19%), the attitudes they expressed clearly show the move toward a more progressive way of thinking. Consider the following answers to survey questions:

GAY & LESBIAN COUPLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO LEGALLY MARRY.
Favor...............52%
Oppose...............41%
Unsure...............7%

TAX RATE SHOULD BE INCREASED ON THOSE EARNING MORE THAN $250,000 A YEAR.
Favor...............63%
Oppose...............34%
Unsure...............3%

MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE RAISED FROM $7.25 AN HOUR TO $10.00 AN HOUR.
Favor...............73%
Oppose...............25%
Unsure...............2%

SHOULD ABORTION BE LEGAL?
Legal in all/most cases...............54%
Illegal in all/most cases...............42%
Unsure...............4%

IN PAST 10 YEARS HAS THE GAP BETWEEN RICH & POOR GOTTEN LARGER?
Gotten larger...............70%
Gotten smaller...............5%
Stayed the same...............21%
Unsure...............5%

THE GOVERMENT SHOULD DO MORE TO REDUCE THE GAP BETWEEN RICH & POOR.
Agree...............63%
Disagree...............35%
Unsure...............1%

IS YOUR GENERATION BETTER OFF THAN YOUR PARENTS' GENERATION?
Better off...............36%
Worse off...............47%
About the same...............16%
Unsure...............1%

IT IS GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
Agree...............62%
Disagree...............36%
Unsure...............1%

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GUARANTEE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ALL CITIZENS, EVEN IF IT MEANS RAISING TAXES.
Agree...............56%
Disagree...............44%
Unsure...............1%

TODAY, CHILDREN FROM ALL INCOME GROUPS HAVE ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL.
Agree...............47%
Disagree...............53%
Unsure...............1%

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH?
41% -- Lower taxes on individuals and businesses and pay for it by cutting government programs.
54% -- spend more on education and infrastructure and pay for it by raising taxes on wealthy individuals and businesses.
3% -- Both/neither
2% -- Unsure

That sounds to me like a fairly progressive general public, and it will just get more progressive in the years to come. It looks like the future is bright for progressives in this country. But we must continue to fight hard for that future. The right-wing fundamentalists are not going to just lay down or go away without a fight -- and progressives must remain ready and willing to engage in that political battle.