This paper examines the antecedents of preferences for the involvement of religious leaders in politics. Hypotheses derived from secularization theories as well as from RCFrameworks are tested empirically using WVS data. Multilevel-Analysis is used in order to account for the nested structure of the data. Most cross-national differences can be explained by differences in levels of modernization and inequality, with modernization showing a strong negative and inequality showing a strong positive effect. Moreover, stronger state-church relations foster the acceptance of higher involvement of religious leaders in politics. The hypotheses of the RC-Framework are not supported by the evidence. The US’ outlying position can be partly explained by high levels of social inequality.