Episcopalians overrepresented in Congress
According to a Pew Forum survey, Anglicans/Episcopalians are the most overrepresented denomination in the 112th Congress: They hold 7.7% of the seats yet are 1.5% of the adult population. No other Christian denomination is close in terms of over representation although Presbyterians are also heavily over represented.
Anglicans/Episcopalians have 41 of the 535 seats. Although Baptists have more than 50% percent more seats than Anglicans/Episcopalians, Baptists are 17.2% of the adult population.
16.1% of American adults say they are unaffiliated. No members of the House or Senate are unaffiliated.
Read it here.
Addendum. What about party affiliation? Among Anglicans/Episcopalians it's tilted heavily Republican. See this table. While there take a look at Baptists by party.
Thanks to a commenter at our Facebook site for the pointer to this table.
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Quick, somebody tell Dr Christopher Seitz.
Posted by Simon Sarmiento![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 9:58 AM
57% of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Episcopalians. 7.7% today hardly suggests "over representation." Just well-represented compared to our unfortunately reduced % of the population.
Posted by Paul Woodrum![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 11:33 AM
LOL, Simon! Yes, I want to see Dr. Seitz's verbose analysis of this one.
Can anyone tell me what a "Restorationist" is? According to the Pew table, there are two of them in Congress.
Posted by Lisa Fox![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 11:37 AM
The web site Religious Tolerance has an interesting page on Restorationism. The title applies, apparently, to a number of groups. The Church of Latter Day Saints is probably the largest; but since they're listed specifically, the reference would be to another group.
Marshall Scott
Posted by Execute![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 12:11 PM
On further reflection: it would be interesting to see an update of The Power of Their Glory, published in 1978. As I recall, it said that Episcopalians were 11% of all public officials (both elected and appointed)in the United States.
Another thought: the reference is "Anglican/Episcopal;" and I have to wonder whether any of these folks are in schismatic Anglican bodies. After all, some of the largest such congregations are in the DC area.
Marshall Scott
Posted by Execute![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 12:16 PM
Thanks for the link, Marshall. I thought they might be similar to the Reconstructionists (Ahmanson, etc.).
Posted by Lisa Fox![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2011 1:32 PM