RELIGION & POLITICS IN AMERICA, SPRING 2011

FINAL DAY’S THOUGHTS

WCB chapter 12 and Wilson chapter 11

Wednesday, May 18

1. What would be different about politics in the United States if religious voices had no presence in our public discourse?

2. Wald and Calhoun-Brown cite several examples of groups whose religious beliefs foster intolerance, hatred and violence; they also discuss research that leans toward the conclusion that religion is not necessarily a positive force for democratic government. What do you think?

3. Wilson asserts that one possible future for religion and politics is greater “religiously based political activism on behalf of the economically disadvantaged” (282) and cites Evangelical Protestants and Catholics as sets of believers who will tell the “real story” (283) with their activism or lack thereof on such issues. Why would religiously based political activism on behalf of the economically disadvantaged be a likely ‘growth area’ for religious people, and what are the chances that economic issues will begin to be framed more in moral or spiritual terms?

4. This is your last chance – ask a question, make a comment!!