5 Things Christians Should Know about the Faith of Kamala Harris

1. Kamala Harris Grew Up in a Multi-Faith Background

Harris’ mother was raised in India, and her father was from Jamaica. Her parents were active in the civil rights movement and met at a protest. After she was born, they would bring her along to the protests in a stroller, according to Town & Country.

Harris was 7 years old when her parents divorced, and she was raised primarily by her mother, Shyamala Gopalaner. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Kamala means “lotus” in Sanskrit and is another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.

Harris often visited her relatives who lived in India during her younger years and was very close with her mother. Her mother passed away of colon cancer in 2009, according to People. On her Instagram account, Harris referred to her mother as “...the greatest source of inspiration in my life.” 

“From all of these traditions and teachings, I’ve learned that faith is not only something we express in church and prayerful reflection, but also in the way we live our lives, do our work, and pursue our respective callings,” Harris said about the Hindu and Jewish influences in her life. 

Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Kamala Harris

2. Kamala Harris’ Is Close with Her Pastor, Rev. Dr. Amos Brown

Today, Harris identifies as a Baptist. According to The Christian Post, Reverend Amos Brown, who has been pastor of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco since 1976, is her pastor. Rev. Brown, an influence among the black community and a seasoned Civil Rights activist, is also the current president of the San Francisco NAACP.

“It is always an honor to spend time with my pastor, Rev. Dr. Amos Brown of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco,” Harris said in an Instagram post. 

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After President Biden stepped down from his 2024 presidential run, Harris turned to Rev. Brown for prayer. Rev. Brown encouraged Harris to run for president this election term and prayed with her. Using Scripture for encouragement, he quoted Micah 6:8, saying, “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your maker.”

Photo Credit: ©Instagram/Kamala Harris

3. Kamala Harris’ Husband Is Jewish

Harris’ interfaith family extends even into her marriage, as her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. This aspect of their family life highlights the couple’s religious pluralism and mutual respect for their differing faith traditions. 

Some people in the Jewish community have expressed excitement that Harris’ husband will represent their culture and faith in the 2024 presidential election. The couple was married in March 2014 at a courthouse ceremony, and Harris’ sister, Maya, officiated the ceremony. 

If elected, Harris’ husband, Douglas Emhoff, would make history as the first person to hold the title of first gentleman and as the first Jewish spouse of a president.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Kiran Ridley/Stringer

4. Harris Supports Reproductive Rights

Kamala Harris’ progressive stance on abortion is something that some Christian voters may find at odds with their personal beliefs.  

Harris aims to roll Roe v. Wade back to being on the federal level rather than keeping it on the level of being decided by each individual state.

This move would mean that abortion laws would be standardized across the country, potentially clashing with the pro-life views held by many in the Christian community. Understanding this stance is crucial for Christian voters as it highlights how Harris’ policies might align or conflict with their beliefs on the sanctity of life.

A liberal political action committee in support of abortion, EMILYs List, put out a 30-second ad in which they voiced their support for her as a presidential candidate. It was paid for by the group’s super PAC, Women Vote, according to The Hill. 

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Joe Raedle/Staff

5. Harris Embraces Liberation Theology

Because of Harris’ interfaith family, she believes she is able to see that ‘All faith teaches us to pursue justice.’ According to The Salt Lake Tribune, Harris embraces a theology that gives special prominence to those who are poor and oppressed because they were born into an environment and social class that disadvantaged them.

During an Iowa Democratic Party event last year, Harris declared to the people that, "Justice is on the ballot," and proceeded to tie this concept in with reforms involving  health care, the economy, reproduction, and children's education.

Related Resource: Neither Left nor Right in Jesus Christ

In this episode of The Thinking Christian Podcast, Nate and James discuss the distinction between the right, the left, and Christians. Along the way, they place a strong emphasis on the need for discipleship and offer some practical considerations for Christians seeking to participate in politics. Listen in, and if this episode helps you think more clearly in a confusing world, be sure to subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

Photo Credit: ©X/Kamala Harris