The Rev. Wayne Lee leads an English-speaking church of second- and third-generation Chinese Americans in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. While two other immigrant congregations under the same umbrella lean conservative and support Donald Trump, Lee’s younger flock tends to lean left. This community reflects the larger Asian American Christian population, which is diverse and evolving. While still holding conservative views on issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights, their opinions on issues such as immigration and racial equity tend to be more nuanced and diverse.
Younger Asian American evangelicals are moving away from unconditional loyalty to the Republican Party, making them a key demographic of independent voters in battleground states. Asian Americans are the fastest-growing voting bloc in the country, and Christians are the largest group of voters within that population. Many consider themselves evangelical in a theological sense due to historical ties to U.S. missionaries in their home countries.
The rise of the religious right in the U.S. has caused some Asian American Christians to reevaluate their political affiliations. They distinguish themselves from white evangelicals and prioritize issues beyond just abortion, such as a candidate’s character and integrity. There is a growing political diversity within Asian American churches, presenting a challenge for pastors who must navigate different perspectives among their congregation.
It is important for politicians and parties to understand that Asian American Christians are not a monolithic group and have diverse political and social concerns. Building consensus and unity across the community will require stepping away from political rhetoric and truly understanding the complexities of this demographic.
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