“The rest of protestantism is isolated individuals, megachurch/Olsteen, “prosperity gospel,” Benny Hinn, etc. is an inaccurate, biased broad brush.
Time reported (2006) only 17% of all Christians identified with the prosperity gospel (which is not simply believing God will bless giving), while Pew found that 90% of evangelical leaders reject the so-called prosperity gospel, the notion that God will grant wealth and good health to those who have enough faith. (http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Christian/Evangelical_Protestant_Churches/Global%20Survey%20of%20Evan.%20Prot.%20Leaders.pdf)
In addition, 1200 Catholic churches are over 2000 in attendance, but being a megachurch (over 2000 in attendance) is not necessarily wrong, (Acts 2) and with large populations and transportation this is more likely, and often these hold services at multiple locations.
However, megachurches only make up one-half of 1 percent of all the religious congregations in the nation, while 26.3% of all churches are Evangelical Protestant, and 57% of megachurches were founded before 1961.
Of this 0.5% of megachurches, 56%-71 are Evangelical, with 16% being Southern Baptist, and 8 - 17% are Pentecostal. Finally, 25% belong to the “Charismatic Pastor-focused” group, superstar preachers which can be the more problematic.
In addition, the sections of the US with the highest percentage of megachurches mostly voted for Romney, the West coast excepting.
(http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/definition.html#catholic; http://www.christianpost.com/news/researchers-paint-latest-portrait-of-u-s-megachurches-27839/#7bEHYa8jCOKELo1X.99;
http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/faith_megachurches_FACTsummary.html#participants; http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/New-Decade-of-Megachurches-2011Profile.pdf)
As for being not being exactly known for their high minority membership, this is true, which is much in contrast to RC membership.
But evangelicals remain substantially more conservative than Catholics overall, (http://www.peacebyjesus.com/RC-Stats_vs._Evang.html) and while you can disown the cafeteria types which are the majority (and we can do the same), the fact is that Rome treats such as members in life and in death, and not just Ted Kennedy.
Good post as usual!
I'm try to understand what they are calling the prosperity gospel. It seems more of a slur to those who believe what God says, not sure. Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Solomon didn't attain their wealth on their own - as we know it came from God. Joseph is another one and Naomi and Esther.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." And those mentioned above did that.
GOD FIRST ALL THE TIME. His system is not like the world's. He is Our Source for everything - spiritual, physical, emotional and financial.
Money is needed to spread the gospel and bless others in need which we are called to do. It can leave one suspect who opposes prosperity.
The difference in vote correlates much more with race, age, and church attendance, much more that church or denomination. The causal argument breaks down - evangelical, mega, catholic, baptist, etc.
The problem with megachurches, in the context of my comment, is they tend to die out with their charismatic leader. What I was pointing to was stability of congregation and teaching. Megachurch leaders tend to have their own take or emphasis, Olsteen for example.
Thanks for your reply.