Religion's Influence On American Politics

A wide array of literature exists that examines the connection between religion and American politics. The majority of the literature shows that religious individuals tend to be more active in politics, but scholars have demonstrated many explanations as to why this occurs. It is more challenging to determine an individual’s participation in politics and religion than it is to define further demographic aspects, which have a consequential effect in influencing voting patterns because of lifetime religious and political participation variation. Smidt (1999) finds that socioeconomic demographics, such as education and age, significantly affect religious and political participation. Wolfinger (1980) contests Smidt’s (1999) conclusions with his

Believing in an idea that regulates everyone’s life, will influence all aspects of everyone’s life. One simply cannot live a “Christian life” solely involving religion and divide themselves when they deal with politics. Thus believing in anything shapes each individual as a person: creates their boundaries, defines morality, and what is just and unjust. Therefore, religion will always be tied into politics. Consequently, I am researching the inevitability of the two seemingly separate ideas overlapping and impacting one another.

It is with his first few sentences that author, Nathan Hatch, lets the readers know about the scope and the reason for his book The Democratization of American Christianity. Nathan Hatch, who is currently the president of Wake Forest University in Wake Forest, NC and was previously the dean and provost at Notre Dame, states, “This book is about the cultural and religious history of the early American republic and the enduring structures of American Christianity. It argues both that the theme of democratization is central to understanding the development of American Christianity, and that the years of the early republic are the most crucial in revealing that process.” (3) The freedom and liberty that were experienced by people in America’s infancy bled into all aspects of life: government, family, and religion. It was this freedom that gave many in the church the boldness to either go and start churches, or serve as a leader in the church: things that were not an option during their time in England. A great deal of church growth in early America can be attributed to this freedom and the conversion of the masses to the various denominations that were available to the early Americans, choices that they did not have while in England. In telling the story of the growth of Protestantism in America, Hatch regales the readers with stories and information about a fascinating time in the history of the American Protestantism. It was a time filled with such varied and unique

Religion has shaped and played a big part of America since colonial times. In colonial times there was religious event and groups that affected the American’s society we know today. A religious event that made an impact was The Great Awakening, the revival of Christianity. Two religious groups were the Puritans and the Quakers. The Puritans came to the country to reform the Church of England and they tried to establish a temporary government in the new country until an official government arrived.

By doing this, religion is employed in dividing and stigmatizing the citizenry. It is in this regard that that the final chapter offers a discussion on George W. Bush’s administration. According to Kramnick and Moore, the Bush administration blatantly divided the American nation along religious lines (Kramnick and Moore 179). The book contends that the presidential election campaigns of 2000 and 2004 gave the impression that the United States was at war with certain religious groups, and that the president was elected to defend faith, not the American

Furthermore, emphasizing the influence of President’s secret religiosity on the politics of the country may well be part of a larger regard to view religion as, entirely, a private task, rather than a common enterprise. However, civil religion in U.S Presidential rhetoric still represents the republican tradition of the Declaration of Independence, and it is important in shaping the policy and political rhetoric guide of the Americans in choosing their candidates. It also attributes to the American sense of exceptionalism which is the belief that the United States is chosen by God. This idea was emphasized in one of the preacher Billy Graham’s sermons, who argued that, the desire of September 9/11 would come to be seen as ‘a day of victory’,

Religion along with race today impacts America in people’s daily lives, viewpoints, and relationships. In American history, religion has made a significant impact. When race joined in, the impact led to shaping America’s political development. Mark A. Noll’s God and Race in American Politics, reveals the profound role of religion in American political history and in American discourse on race. Noll argues that race has been among the most influential elements in American political history, religion has always been crucial for the workings of race in American politics, and together, race and religion make up the nation’s deepest and most enduring political influence.

Historically, religion and politics have always played a very significant part in our everyday lives, dating back to the ancient pharaohs of Africa to our modern day society, the relationship between religion and politics can be traced through centuries of human history in various civilizations. Both religion and politics prescribe, legislate, and enforce codes of behavior, promote collective action, and create group identification. There are numerous examples of how religion continues to contribute to the formation and evolution of political ideas and institutions. For a good example of how religion affects politics in our modern world we need not look very far but in our own backyard. The influence of Catholicism on Latin American politics, and the role religion plays on Middle Eastern politics have had a profound affect in those related societies. The Catholic charismatic movement has also become more and more politically active”.

Religion had both positive and negative impact on the lives of Americans before the Civil war. It influenced the morals, rules and regulations of the colonies. Most of the colonies were established based on Christian beliefs and values. There was great religious diversity; Massachusetts was populated with pilgrims and puritans, the Quakers in Pennsylvania and Catholics in Maryland. Each colony believed in their faith and expected everyone to follow their religion. Puritans believed that they had been ordained by God to create a puritan society and did not believe in religious tolerance. The Catholics on the other hand dominated Maryland and the Quakers dominated Pennsylvania. Catholics and Protestants did not approve of each other religion. These divisions resulted in the persecutions of those who had different beliefs causing settlement of different groups in different colonies, hence the establishment of different states in America.

In the United States, religion and government have been separated from one another for many years. The reason being is that there are so many religions these days, and people would argue about which religion would take political power, ultimately resulting in conflicts and fights. Many centuries ago, each country had only one primary religion which every citizen practiced. In Italy for example, their official religion was Christianity, and having Christian beliefs intertwined in government allowed Italians to follow their religions rules along with the rules the government has as well. While some people may think that having religion and government together would be a good thing, many citizens living in Europe between the 12th and 16th century did not.

American voters are swayed heavily by their upbringing. People tend to share the same political beliefs as their parents; however, religious background gives parental influence a run for its money. In the United States, 78.3% of Americans are Christian making it the most common religious affiliation (Hackett & Grim, 2012). Christianity is rooted in truth and love— love for yourself and others. So when it comes to voting for the next president, many Christians seem to be at a crossroads, because the presidential candidates seem to lack truth, love, or even both. Both candidates use ruthless rhetoric attacking these Christian values. Hillary Clinton is portrayed as a lying murderer, while Trump is painted as a xenophobic entitled ass. Despite core Christian values differing from Donald Trump’s rhetoric, Christian voters are still choosing Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, because Republican values mirror Christian values.

The United States of America has the most diverse religious population in the world. In places like Iraq, Syria, Israel, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other countries too numerous to mention, countless lives are lost over religious differences. In America, a Protestant can live happily next door to a Jew, who might live across the street from a Muslim, or a Catholic, or a Sikh, or even a Humanist! This is in no small way attributed to the fact that the US Constitution’s First Amendment includes what is known as the establishment clause, which states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” effectively separating affairs of religious institutions from secular,

I started my search based off my long held interest in politics, and the issues that affect the way we govern. So I boiled that down to the entities that decide when and what we govern. Political Parties. After I had my subject I looked at the three things I believe political parties play a role in. The three areas of interest I chose were our political parties role in our history, economics, and religion, and what factors in those areas determine how political parties’ function.

“American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us,” by Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell, and “America and the Challenges of Religious Diversity,” by Robert Wuthnow, give different thoughts to religion and politics in the United States. Putnam and Campbell utilize the concepts of shocks and aftershocks to highlight religious changes in the United States. On the other hand, Wuthnow uses observations to focus on the encounters of religious diversity in the United States. Wuthnow compares American Christianity with other popular religions in America and how Christianity has affected the perception of religion. Putnam and Campbell’s “American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us” is a more persuasive assessment of American religion and politics.

In this course, I found the connection between religion and politics the most important concept we’ve studied. With engagement and understanding of politics becoming increasingly important, it’s valuable to study the ways people both interact with politics and form their political opinions—and as we’ve seen, religion can play a huge role in both of these aspects. However, the way religious groups engage with politics can perhaps be generalizing when discussing major religions, seeing as these groups are often widely diverse and brimming with unique experiences. Therefore, I believe it is just as important to discuss the political dimension of religion with the social influences of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and the interrelations between them.