Religion and Politics Today: Tearing Down Walls, Building Bridges

Publication Date: July 2009

Publisher: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

Author(s): Michael Gottsegen

Research Area: Culture and religion; Politics

Keywords: Political Behavior; Public Opinion; Church and State

Type: Other

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

The author analyzes how religion can work in conjunction with politics in a time of such prevalence of religious pluralism in the U.S. He discusses two different perspectives: the first that religion should be completely separate from the political sphere; the second that religion is another factor that shapes the values and interests of citizens and thus shapes politics. He concludes that religious plurality will benefit society when citizens are no longer discouraged from bringing their religious values into the voting booth, and when religion is seen more as a 'bridge' to connecting with the political world.