The general conversation about religion and politics is how much they should intertwine. The conversation isn’t usually about how similar the two are. They both have very personal aspects, but more importantly they are both systematic things in American society. They both have the power to bring large groups of people together and have a lot of influence. They even have the power to break groups apart and create us-vs-them mentalities. Politics and religion are integral to what America is, whether we like it or not.
An article by the Atlantic elaborates on this idea. It starts out with a fairly common notion that the amount of non-religious Americans is growing. The article cites a study saying that Atheists, Agnostic, and non-affiliated take up about 25% of the population. My last post discussed people’s ideas of changing statistics and whether people think it is a good or bad thing. That is a valid discussion to have, but it doesn’t change that it is happening. So that begs the question: What happens next?
If you are Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor who studies the interactions between religion and politics, the answer to that question is war. Feldman explains how both concepts are a “technology,” or a way of controlling people. This statement seems generally correct, but he doesn’t really support that statement. He basically goes on to say that this war was caused by 9/11, and therefore Islam. Feldman explains that even though Islam and Democracy are concepts that might mean different things for different people, most believe that they cannot exist together. He says, “within the sphere of people who have that view, and it’s a large number of people in the Muslim world who disagree with bin Laden in his application, but agree that Islam is the answer.” He says this war is inevitable, and states that Americans are most likely to react with fear and/or generalization.
I feel like Feldman had some interesting things to say, but it was honestly one of the worst TED Talks I’ve ever seen. He came off as a bit Islamophobic to me, which surprised me coming from TED, not to mention a Hardvard educator. It is difficult for me to have an analytical response to his ideas, but I do think he has a point with religion and politics being a “technology.”
I think the Atlantic article explained this in a clearer, less Islamophobic, way. In a way, religion and politics are a technology, but they aren’t technologies purely to control people. They are systems that bring people together or separate people. In other words, they create identity. The article claims that humans need some “ultimate loyalty” to survive. The article explains that during the Obama presidency, politics were fairly tame, especially compared to the Middle East. As Trump’s era began, politics became more polarized and fragmented. This threatened the concept of American identity. We moved from a period of general agreement of ideals to two sides claiming they are following true American ideals. It notes how “un-American” is used quite often by many groups in America, but not many countries have something like that. The author relates it to the concept of heresy.
That brings us to the article’s next point. Religion in America works the same way. Though never officially a religious country, faith has been an integral part of what is considered American. As citizens shift from a general agreement of faith to a wider variety of belief (or lack thereof) the same polarization will happen. The conversation becomes an argument of who is being American the “right” way. This article highlights that without these uniting ideas, we don’t have anything to fall back on. It does just leave the conversation there though. It also notes that when Americans have an overarching idea of identity, that often leads to nationalistic feelings. I think this is a really interesting, and sort of depressing, thing to bring up. It seems like no matter what, there is always an idea of this “other” that is doing something wrong.
It amazes me that an article and a TED Talk with such a similar thesis handle their presentation of ideas in such different ways. This is one of those topics where I can just think about it and not really come to any sort of conclusion. It feels like such a new situation and has so much deep-rooted history behind it that it feels too complex to address.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/04/america-politics-religion/618072/
Your blog post reminded me a lot about this guy I saw today protesting around Pattee Mall. He was yelling about how it was not right that America has taken religion out of schools and whatnot. It just made me realize how far we have come and that although, like you said, America was “never officially a religious country”, the foundation of the common law here in the United States was based on Christianity. Many Americans believe that the Bible should have great influence when it comes to making laws, statistics according to the Pew Research Center reports that “Today, about half of Americans (49%) say the Bible should have at least “some” influence on U.S. laws, including nearly a quarter (23%) who say it should have “a great deal” of influence” (Pew Research Center). I think that most people forget that the Bible should not be taken literally, despite what some Christians may argue.
There has been a growing interest in something called Christian Nationalism, basically the belief that Christianity should define America and everything she stands for. Now, this is more common in the Republican party, but it is just a sad thing to see considering that people came United States seeking religious freedom. I also watched the TED talk and I also agree that he seemed a bit Islamophobic, but I feel like his point of politics and religion being a “technology” can be seen with this idea of Christian Nationalism. It is evident that these people that identify as Christian Nationalists feel very strongly about being Christians and how their beliefs should control American law; however, I feel that this belief is just pitting themselves against everyone who thinks differently.
I had a friend that knew a girl that claimed that she was a Christian Nationalist and how this nation should be a Christian nation. When my friend disagreed with her, the girl told her that the only way America could survive its state right now is if they would turn to Christianity, for it is the only way out of the mess we are in. I do not know if this is her personal view, or if it was just because she was from Virginia, but I was so annoyed by her reaction. In order to cater to every person in the United States, then we need to have different points of view, including religious beliefs.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/13/half-of-americans-say-bible-should-influence-u-s-laws-including-28-who-favor-it-over-the-will-of-the-people/
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/14/1156642544/more-than-half-of-republicans-support-christian-nationalism-according-to-a-new-s
Hi Kendra! I really enjoyed this week’s civic blog. I have been researching religion in politics and how it persuades and sometimes annoys others when talking about politics. You made a point in the beginning of your blog that they are very similar in the ways of both being systematic things in American society. But we need to remember the difference and controversy they hold in today’s society.
You made a claim saying that both Politics and Religion are integral to America today. Which I agree to an extent. Could we survive in the United States without religion pushing political views? I would yes to an extent but we could not survive without politics in America. Politics I believe have more control over the American people than religion does in the long run. In the article, “The Relation between Religion and Politics in a Globalizing World” by Elizabeth Katelynn Baggett. She counters that, “Religion plays a powerful role in modern politics, and the relationship between the two is ever-changing. The governing of a state cannot be separated from the religious views of its people that affect the leaders and lawmakers of a country. Law mirrors society.”(PKP 2020).
Yes, religion can impact the surrounding public but religion shouldn’t be connected to politics. It has and will continue to make things more controversial and less understanding. The question being asked should be is should religion be a part of politics today? Many would say yes and no. However, we can never separate religion from any politics anyway. It is how we grew our democratic power.
You had brought up later in the blog that there will always be a polarization in politics and religion. Which I agree with and it will make it hard to come to an agreement on things. I was reading an article about Mahatma Gandhi titled, “ Mahatma Gandhi on Religion and Policy” that explains the thought of politics and religion from Gandhi’s perspective. Dr. Sudhir Kumar expresses that Gandhi thought, “Religion can never be separated from politics. It does not mean that he was not a nationalist, it simply signifies that the interests of religion and country are interrelated according to him.” (MKG 2019). Reading about one of the most influential civilists in the world talking about religion in politics so simply explains how it really isn’t it. There will always be disbursed and rebuttals on topics surrounding the two.
Kendra I really enjoyed this blog! I just want to continue researching all about religion in politics and where people stand and how it affects us economically, socially and more. Can’t wait for your last one!
Sites:
https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/scientia/article/view/1802#:~:text=Religion%20plays%20a%20powerful%20role,Law%20mirrors%20society.
https://www.mkgandhi.org/articles/religion_polity.htm
Hey Kendra, sorry for the late response, bruised my rib and it took me out of commission yesterday. better late than never though lol. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I think it is super interesting to think about if we can go without religion to preserve democracy, I think a good question to is should we? Religion is an important part of a lot of people’s lives. It is also really big in shaping communities and societies, and is a crucial part of American culture and history. So, it is important that we do not have to go without it, as it can have a meaningful impact on our lives and society as a whole.
Religion has the power to bring people together and create a sense of community and belonging. It provides a shared identity and a common set of beliefs and values, which can help to bridge differences and promote understanding and respect among people. Religion can also provide comfort during difficult times, and can be a source of hope and inspiration.
However, religion can also be divisive and create conflict, particularly when it is intertwined with politics. When religious beliefs and practices are used to justify discrimination, intolerance, or violence, it can lead to social and political issues. It is important to recognize that there is a difference between individual religious beliefs and the use of religion to justify political actions or policies. Which I think really is at the heart of the issue of religion in politics, the making of it less personal.
As society becomes more diverse and secular, there is a growing trend towards non-religious or alternative forms of spirituality. While this trend is understandable, it is important to recognize the role that religion has played in shaping American culture and history. Religion has provided a framework for social and political movements, including civil rights, abolition, and immigration reform. It has also played a significant role in shaping art, literature, and music. Therefore, removing it all together would be erasing something really beautiful.
I think you presented these issues really well and I loved reading this blog. I obviously share a lot of similar views as you (considering I am also doing my blog on religion and probably my advocacy project as well). Such an inspiration for my blog, I am so glad you went before me I am taking notes!
Thanks so much,
Colby
I totally forgot to link what I used to look this stuff up lol. Here’s a great site from the Pew Research center talking about religion that was a big inspiration to me. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/11/03/chapter-1-importance-of-religion-and-religious-beliefs/