I have some theories,
Namely that we have a gigantic, vocal, evangelical minority that is either really poor and watches TBN all the time, or is filthy rich a la Pat Robertson. This gets such people, Like good ol'Bubya in office, which in turn has crap like Amendment #28, and"faith based initiative" BS.
That's were I would point my research. Heck, you live in SC, you know what it's like. Head on out to some of those Podunk towns in West Virginia and you can still see signs for the local Klan chapter.
Ignorance is power, religion is a tool to control the ignorant.