Kamala Harris' Faith: Exploring Her Spiritual Beliefs And Practices

Kamala Harris is Baptist. She grew up in an interfaith household, with a Hindu mother and a Christian father, and attended services at a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple. Harris has described how her faith has influenced her life and work, and she regularly attends church, where she draws strength and reflects.

Kamala Harris is Baptist

Harris has said that she was raised to believe in a "loving God" and that "your life's work should be to think about how you can serve in a way that is uplifting other people, that is about caring for other people". She has also drawn parallels between her faith and her political ambitions, referencing biblical teachings in her speeches. For example, in one speech, she said:

> "Jesus tells us how we should define neighbor. Jesus tells us, your neighbor is not just the person who lives next door, who drives the kind of car you drive, the person shares your zip code. Jesus tells us your neighbor is that man by the side of the road who you walk by, who has faced hardship."

Harris's mother was Hindu, and her father was Christian, so she grew up in an interfaith household. She now has an interfaith marriage herself, as her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish.

She grew up in an interfaith household

Kamala Harris grew up in an interfaith household. Her mother was Hindu, and her father was Christian. As a child, she attended services at a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple.

Harris' mother took her and her sister to a Black church "to make sure we would grow into confident, proud Black women," Harris wrote in her memoir. She told Interfaith Youth Core that her "faith journey" started when she was young. She prays "every day—sometimes twice a day," she told Anderson Cooper during a CNN town hall.

Harris has continued to attend church regularly into adulthood. Her base church is the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, and she calls the church's pastor, Rev. Amos Brown, to pray over the phone before making major decisions.

Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish

Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are in an interfaith relationship. Emhoff is Jewish, and if Harris were to become president, he would be the inaugural First Gentleman and the White House's first Jewish spouse.

During his speech at the 2024 DNC, Emhoff said:

> "Kamala has connected me more deeply to my faith, even though it’s not the same as hers."

The couple smashed a glass as part of the traditional Jewish custom at their wedding. Harris told Interfaith Youth Core that she shares "Jewish traditions and celebrations" with Emhoff at home.

"She comes to synagogue with me for High Holiday services, and I go to church with her for Easter," Emhoff said during the 2024 DNC. "I get to enjoy her mom’s chile relleno recipe every Christmas, and she makes a mean brisket for Passover."

She was sworn in on a Bible

Kamala Harris was sworn in to the Senate on her family Bible. This was a "well-worn" Bible, according to then-Vice President Biden, who commented, "All right, that's a good way to do it".

Harris had been the subject of rumours that she had refused to be sworn in on a Bible. However, these rumours were inaccurate. Harris, a Baptist, has spoken about her faith journey, which she says started when she was young. She attends church regularly and prays every day, sometimes twice a day. She has also spoken about how her faith has influenced her political career.

Her beliefs influenced her political career

Kamala Harris is Baptist and was raised in an interfaith household, with a Hindu mother and a Christian father. Harris's mother took her to a Black Baptist church to ensure she and her sister "would grow into confident, proud Black women". Harris also attended services at a Hindu temple.

Harris's beliefs have influenced her political career, including her position on women's reproductive rights. In July 2022, she held a roundtable meeting with faith leaders in Los Angeles to discuss the importance of women's healthcare decisions being made "without government interference". Harris has also drawn parallels between her faith and her political aspirations. During a speech in August 2019, she referenced the Bible, saying:

> "Jesus tells us how we should define neighbor... your neighbor is that man by the side of the road who you walk by, who has faced hardship."

Harris has also tapped into her faith on the campaign trail, visiting multiple Baptist churches during her 2024 campaign. She has described church as a place where she "draws strength" and reflects. Harris also calls her pastor to pray over the phone before making major decisions.

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