Asian-American Religiosity and Politics

Abstract

This essay discusses the emerging literature on APA religiosity and politics, with a focus on theologically conservative Christians.(1) APAs are both highly religiously diverse, and politically divided between those who identify more as conservative Christians and those who do less. More-educated, conservative Christian APAs experience cross-pressures from more-educated, social progressives (predominantly Democrats) and from less-educated, conservative Christians (predominantly Republicans). APA involvement in transnational religious networks sometimes reinforces, and sometimes bridges, the "culture war" cleavages. The essay closes with suggestions on how political science professors can teach about, and to, religiously diverse Asian-Americans, including potential discussion topics and assignments.