Economic Frustrations and Political Identity: Post Election Breakdown with Dr. Samuel Perry

Faithful Politics

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In this podcast episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram engage in a rich conversation with Dr. Samuel Perry, a leading expert on conservative Christianity and American politics. The discussion focuses on the 2024 election results, with Perry providing an analysis of the unexpected outcomes and voter behavior. He emphasizes that economic concerns, rather than ideological shifts, drove many voters' decisions. Perry notes that while some believe rhetoric like Trump's may just be for show, it can have significant societal impacts, including normalizing divisive language and authoritarian tendencies.

They explore how religious identity has shifted in America, highlighting that evangelical support for Trump remained steady, while shifts were seen among Catholic and other religious voters. Perry also touches on how Christian nationalism and group identity influence political stances and willingness to support authoritarian measures.

The episode concludes with Perry discussing his new book, Religion for Realists, which argues that understanding religion through a scientific lens can illuminate how beliefs, identity, and societal norms interact. He explains that current global and domestic leaders already utilize religious identity as a tool for power, making this understanding even more crucial today. The show wraps up with thoughts on maintaining hope and community engagement amid political and societal challenges.

Guest Bio:

An award-winning scholar and teacher, Dr. Perry is among the nation's leading experts on conservative Christianity and American politics, race, families, and sexual behavior. He has been recognized as among the top sociologists in the world in terms of research productivity and impact.

Along with well over 100 peer-reviewed articles published in leading academic journals, Dr. Perry is also the author or co-author of five books, including Growing God's Family (NYU, 2017), Addicted to Lust (Oxford, 2019), Taking America Back for God (Oxford, 2020, with Andrew Whitehead), and The Flag and the Cross (Oxford, 2022, with Philip Gorski). His most recent book is entitled Religion for Realists: Why We All Need the Scientific Study of Religion (Oxford, 2024).

Dr. Perry is also a public sociologist. In addition to frequent speaking engagements around the country, he is a regular Contributor at TIME Magazine and has also written for outlets like The Washington Post, NBC News, and The Dallas Morning News. Dr. Perry's interviews and research findings have also been featured in recent documentaries by F

"The Faith Roundtable" is a captivating spinoff from the Faithful Politics podcast, dedicated to exploring the crucial issues facing the church in America today. Hosted by Josh Burtram, this podcast brings together faith leaders, theologians, and scholars for deep, respectful discussions on topics at the heart of American Christianity. From the intersection of faith and public life to urgent matters such as social justice and community engagement, each episode offers insightful conversations

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