When asked about their views regarding politics, most Southern Baptists are more aligned with Baptist teachings than the claims of Christian nationalists. Sponsored by the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a recent Lifeway Research study found that Southern Baptists hold conservative political ideology but show support for religious liberty for all Americans and a government that does not establish Christianity as the preferred religion of the country.

Of the more than 500 self-identified Southern Baptists polled, more than half (58%) of its members and leaders (62%) believe the government should not endorse a particular religion. On the other hand, more than one-third (36%) of members and leaders (33%) say the government should favor Christianity.

When asked about Baptists’ historic role in these discussions, more than half of respondents (58%) say they are “somewhat knowledgeable” about the Baptists’ influence on religion and politics during the country’s founding. A sizable majority of Southern Baptists surveyed (86%) say Baptists regularly advocated for freedom of religion. Likewise, 85% concur that Baptists championed “the freedom of individuals to follow their conscience on religious beliefs.”

Nearly half of Southern Baptist church members say the pastors and teachers at their church adequately address the issue between church and state. A slightly smaller percentage (43%) want to hear more, while 11% say they would like to hear less.

“These findings reinforce that Baptists in our pews generally hold historic Baptist beliefs about the role of the church and the state,” Dan Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said. “Baptists desire robust engagement in the public square and strongly believe in a free church in a free state. This research should inform the discussions surrounding Southern Baptists, especially in a political season.”

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