Ian Patrick, FISM News 

[elfsight_social_share_buttons id=”1″]

Overview

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll reveals that the majority of Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats to handle hot-button issues including inflation and immigration. The poll also reveals that more trust is placed in Democrats on social and cultural issues such as abortion and the equal treatment of racial minorities.

The poll asked over 1,000 Americans from April 24 to April 28 which political party would be trusted “to do a better job handling” a specific topic. Republicans scored higher than Democrats in the handling of the economy, crime, immigration and inflation. Democrats scored higher in education and schools, abortion, and the equal treatment of groups regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Digging In

The biggest differences were reserved specifically for the treatment of different ethnic and people groups. For racial and ethnic groups, 52% of Americans trusted Democrats compared to only 31% of Republicans. There was more of a difference for handling the sexual orientation and gender identity groups, as 55% of Americans trusted Democrats and 26% trusted Republicans.

Fifty percent of Americans trusted both inflation and the economy to Republicans compared to 31% and 36%, respectively, placing their trust in Democrats. The smallest difference lied in handling immigration, where Republicans (43%) just beat their Democrat counterparts (40%).

Thinking Further

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this poll is that more Americans trust Democrats in the handling of both education and schools with 47% and 39% ratings, respectively. Education has become an increasingly hot-button topic as revelations of sexually-explicit reading material, accounts of hiding transgender teaching, and even sexual abuse from a transgender student have come to light, causing strain between left-leaning school boards and concerned parents.

The data from this poll may still be a sign of relief for Republicans before the 2022 midterm elections, however. Recent polls have shown that Americans are placing the handling of the economy as the key factor in determining who comes out on top this November.

Biblical Perspective

The poll currently shows the trend that Republicans are seen to be more trustworthy on specifically political issues while Democrats are favored for social and cultural ones. However, the poll also shows historical results past going all the way back to 1992 in some instances on the same issues. The data shows that consensus over trust in a particular party to deliver on key political issues has swung significantly over the years.

This swing should tell us that politicians and policies, while necessary for a government, aren’t always in the “right.” As Christians we are called to live a lifestyle that honors and follows Jesus first and foremost. As we seek Christ, we should prayerfully be involved in this world (including how we vote and/or are involved in politics) and should let our knowledge and understanding of God and his commands inform our political positions.

Though we vote with these values in mind, however, we can never expect a politician or a political party to be our Savior (Is. 40:22-24). It is wonderful to see things that honor Christ in political life, but even the best politician is a man at best. When these times come, and our hopes are dashed because of one political thing or another, it is important to remember that God reigns supreme over it all.

Psalm 118:8 says “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” while Psalm 146:3 says, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” We are commanded to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s (Luke 20:25) and to submit to authorities (1 Peter 2: 13-17) as a means of honoring God, but we place our hope for salvation in none other than Christ Jesus.

———————————————————————————————————————————

News in Four is a segment of FISM News that breaks down stories in four easy to digest segments and can be read in four minutes or less. While these articles are meant to provide a biblical perspective to current events, FISM News does not intend to hold these perspectives as absolute truth, knowing that the news is often nuanced and politically driven. While our goal is to provide a jumping off point to view the news through a biblical lens, God has called all believers, like Bereans, to search the Bible for oneself (Acts 17:11-12).