Challenging existing narratives about political alienation driving religious exit, this study differentiates between leaving a religious tradition versus disconnecting from specific congregations. Using data from three prominent survey archives (NES/GSS/NCPPS), we demonstrate that people evaluate the political alignment of their particular congregation as a primary factor in staying or leaving. Our findings show that opposition to Christian Right politics only influences retention decisions among evangelicals and Republicans when this evaluation occurs within a specific church context. This nuanced understanding reveals how political dynamics become relevant for individuals through their concrete religious experiences, necessitating broader perspectives on American religion's politicization.
