McAllaster Lecture: Alumnus Explores Religious Polarization's Impact
Published: April 17, 2025
Author: Dave Bell
A significant shift in American religious demographics over the past 50 years – a sharp decline in mainline Protestant church membership alongside a rise in evangelical church membership – were the focus of a recent lecture by Dr. Ryan Burge, a 2004 graduate of Greenville University.
Burge raised an analytical eye to this change, primarily rooted in the theological differences it reveals, examining what seems to be polarized political views that have come to typify members within these two groups.
“Our churches have become a monoculture,” asserted Burge, who pastored an American Baptist Church for 17 years and now serves as associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. “By that, I mean that political affiliation has become the most important factor in church membership today. Churches typically are either one way or another politically. In contrast, I feel that politically diverse places are good places.”
Burge recently shared his insights on this growing religious polarization during a lecture on the Greenville University campus titled "No Room for Compromise: Religious Polarization in the United States." The event was hosted by the McAllaster Scholars Honors Program, named in honor of former Greenville College professor Dr. Elva McAllaster. This annual lecture encourages academically gifted students to continue a legacy of faith-informed learning by connecting speakers with the student body to explore the intersection of faith and education.
As a university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, Greenville University deeply values the principles of the Free Methodist Way, which champion mutual respect and understanding in diverse collaborations. "On our campus, in our classrooms, and in our residence halls, we steadfastly uphold and share the truth of the Gospel while fostering robust conversations that encompass all perspectives," explained Dr. Jeannie Trudel, Vice President for Academic Affairs & Student Development at Greenville University. "We recognize the divisive nature of differing opinions in today's world. Our aim is for our students to feel seen, known, and inspired in their unique identities, enabling them to live out the Gospel message through respect for all, especially those with whom they may disagree."
To illustrate his point, Burge presented numerous charts demonstrating an inverse relationship between the membership trends of mainline denominations and evangelical churches. He argued that a thriving American democracy requires a vibrant and diverse religious landscape, not one defined by increasing polarization.
“Nearly every mainline denomination is in absolute free fall in membership,” he said. “For instance, in the 1950s, more than half of the Christians in the United States belonged to mainline churches. Today, it’s less than 10 percent.”
While lamenting the impact of politicization on the church, Burge said America remains a largely religious nation, with 85 percent of people claiming to believe in God. “For many people today, however, their religious views are downstream from their political views,” he said. “We must resist that political influence on issues of faith. Instead, we should have personal convictions that don’t change because of people and political parties around us.”
Dr. Burge's research serves as a sobering reminder of our culture's profound need for peacemakers as well as those who illuminate God's Truth. His findings offer a powerful challenge to all within the Greenville University community – students, faculty, and staff alike – to actively embody both roles.
