Mike Pence on Religion

Mike Pence explicitly centers his political life and public service around his evangelical Christian faith, often citing scripture to explain his stances on policy and governance. He describes his Christian faith as being at the very heart of who he is, stemming from a conversion experience in 1978 that led him to seek a personal relationship with Christ. His worldview dictates that religious liberty is the foundational freedom, essential for peace and security globally, and he has advocated for its robust protection, particularly for Christian communities facing persecution abroad. He has been referred to as the "24-karat-gold model of what we want in an evangelical politician" due to his consistent application of his worldview to public policy.

His religious evolution paralleled the rise of the religious right, moving from a Catholic upbringing to identifying as an evangelical Catholic, and later aligning with the broader conservative Christian movement's goals regarding issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights. This conviction has informed his legislative priorities, such as repeatedly sponsoring legislation to defund Planned Parenthood while serving in Congress. Furthermore, his political style, though sometimes perceived as deferential to political allies, is internally justified by a belief in biblical “servant leadership,” requiring him to submit to the will of those in authority, which he publicly expressed toward his former presidential running mate. He has also stated that Americans do not have a right to freedom from religion.