Religion and American Politics

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Hinnells, J. R. (2005). The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion. New York, NY: Routledge.

This book puts into context the place of religion in modern politics. According to the author, religion in the world has shaped how politics is conducted in modern world. The author indicates that, In the United States, religion directly shapes how the policies implemented by the congress are formulated.

Politics on the other hand influences the practice of religion. Hinnells points out that there has been a sustained debate on how religion ideas, individuals and institution influences the entire governance system right from national, local and at global level. The government policies with regard to freedom of worship and acceptable public worship limit religion. Therefore, this book tends towards the position that Religion and politics are intertwined and thus collectively redefine the shape of the public.

The interaction between politics and religion is not a new phenomenon; it dates back to the early classical era of theocracies that have transformed steadily into current democratic shades. Religion has had enormous influence on civil liberation struggles around the world especially in Latin America. On the other hand, the political interests of the majority shape the focus of philosophy. Going back to the Latin American example, the civil conditions or politics of the time gave rise to what is widely known as liberal theology.

This book clarifies the role of religion in the fight for the human rights due to political changes in America. The efforts of different religious groups have influenced thinking on human rights issues in congress. Giving example of debate on congressional debates on apartheid in South Africa, the book helps explain how powerful religious sentiments are in determining political focus.

Moyser, G. (1991). Politics and Religion in the Modern World. New York, NY: Routledge.

In this book Moyser looks at major political issues and how religion has influence debate on them. Moyser (1991, p.261) indicates that years after 1960, the United States politics has been reshaped by congressional movement and religious communities. There has been a drop in students of politics as a result of persuasion. The voting pattern among the Protestant have declined significantly.

Moyser in his book notes that congressional voting has always been on issues that developed after World War II. The happenings during and after the world war ii led to the Democrats aspirants’ continued enjoyment of the support of the Jews, Catholics, and southern black protestant. This has enabled the Democrats to have an upper hand in areas that are predominantly occupied by members of these religious communities (Moyser, 1991, p. 261).

On the other hand, the republicans receive overwhelming support from mainland Protestants. voting patterns are always influenced by the policies and development goals of the parties involved. The policy of Government support by establishment of welfare organization to aid the disadvantaged and those who are economically threatened have facilitated a pattern of many religious groups’ differences.

The differences in policies among religious groups i.e. Protestants and the Catholics have led to diminishing relevancy of devotee competition. The policies by major congress parties have led to emergence of new political groupings which are issue specific moving away from traditional protestant and non protestant ideologies. New issues and policies tackling new era challenges have been welcomed (Moyser, 1991, p.262).

Social issues such as drugs, pornography and marital infidelity have categorized Christians and non Christian’s attitudes and consequently influencing congressional politics. The new pattern in the coalition has been affected by racial war.

The black Protestants, the unchurched and majority of Jews advocate for state action whereas other groups have held on to the call of preserving the status quo. Policies involving gender disparity, environmental degradation and political open-mindedness have exposed a characteristic of religious partiality which is not in line with past history that transformed religious disagreement concerning civic matters.

Religious groups have differed with congress on a number of things spanning from the 1960s which include; appeal of the civil rights movements, the Vietnam War and social justice aspects (Moyser, 1991, p.262). Though most of these issues have been institutionalized but some opposition still is witnessed from some protestant quarters. These issues have affected congressional voting.

Noll, M. A. & Harlow, L. E. (2007). Religion and American Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present. New York, NY: Oxford University Press US.

This book discusses the religious affiliations of inclinations of major political parties in the United States. Political parties such as the Democrats and the FDR rose tremendously in American politics in 1936. The religious groups were the forces behind this growth and a later push towards formation of a coalition. The religious communities which played this important role include the; Catholics, Jews, protestants among other groups.

This book discusses political trends across history. For example, it discusses the reasons why the republicans lost vibrancy after the great depressions. The writers explain how the GOP which was a religious constituency of protestant groupings conquered national religious limelight.

They also point out some recent developments in the relation of religion and politics. They noted the transformation in religion in the regime of President George W. Bush (Noll & Harlow, 2007, p. 270). Religious groups have played a significant role in shaping American politics.

This is illustrated in the book through a discussion on how an alliance between the republican and the Protestant community was formed. The alliance has enabled the Protestants to remain dominant in the southern part of the country because of the large population of the protestant community.

On matters conservative, the writers note that the Protestants have often forged a strong alliance with the Roman Catholics. Republicans have always enjoyed strong support from conservative churches than the Democrats. Noll and Harlow (2007, p. 271) further note that on some issues, religious communities mainly black Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus support the liberalistic politics of the democrats.

References

Hinnells, J. R. (2005). The Routledge Companion to the Study of Religion. New York: Routledge

Moyser, G. (1991). Politics and Religion in the Modern World. New York, NY: Routledge.

Noll, M. A. & Harlow, L. E. (2007). Religion and American Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present. New York, NY: Oxford University Press US.

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Religion and American Politics

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