Long ago, this Republican was beloved for his agnosticism in Kentucky and beyond

By: Berry Craig

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: April 29, 2026

Words: 927

Last Updated: 3 months ago

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Christian nationalists and their supporters are a majority in the Republican Party, according to a February Public Religion Research Institute poll.

The survey revealed that nationally, 56 percent of Republicans “qualify as either Christian nationalism Adherents (21%) or Sympathizers (35%), compared with one in four independents (25%) and less than one in five Democrats (17%).”

Yet in the late 19th century, a Republican VIP from Illinois barnstormed the country touting agnosticism in impassioned …

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