One Electorate under God?: A Dialogue on Religion and American Politics

Front Cover
E.J. Dionne, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Kayla Meltzer Drogosz
Rowman & Littlefield, 2004 M06 14 - 256 pages

The United States has been described as a nation with the soul of a church. Religion is discussed more explicitly and more urgently in American politics than in the public debates of any other wealthy democracy. It is certain to play an important role in the elections of 2004. Yet debates over religion and politics are often narrow and highly partisan, although the questions at hand demand a broader and more civil discussion. One Electorate under God? widens the dialogue by bringing together in one volume some of the most influential voices in American intellectual and political life. This book draws on a public debate between former New York governor Mario Cuomo and Indiana congressman Mark Souder, who discuss how their respective faith convictions have been both shaped by and reflected in their careers as public servants. This discussion, in turn, prompted commentary by a diverse group of scholars, politicians, journalists, and religious leaders who are engaged simultaneously in the religious and policy realms. Each contributor offers insights on how political leaders and religious convictions shape our politics. One Electorate under God arises from the idea that public deliberation is more honest—and more democratic—when officials are open and reflective about the interactions between their religious convictions and their commitments in the secular realm. This volume—the first of its kind—seeks to promote a greater understanding of American thinking about faith and public office in a pluralistic society. Contributors include Joanna Adams, Azizah Al-Hibri, Doug Bandow, Michael Barone, Gary Bauer, Robert Bellah, David Brooks, Harvey Cox, Michael Cromartie, John DiIulio Jr., Terry Eastland, Robert Edgar, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Richard Wightman Fox, William Galston, Robert George, Andrew Greeley, John Green, Anna Greenberg, Susannah Heschel, Representative Amo Houghton (R-New York), Michael Kazin, Martha Minow, Stephen Monsma, Mark Noll, Rabbi David Novak, Ramesh Ponnuru, Representative David E. Price (D-North Carolina), Jeffrey Rosen, Cheryl Sanders, Ron Sider, Jim Skillen, Matthew Spalding, Jeffrey Stout, John Sweeney, Roberto Suro, Margaret O'Brien Steinfels, Jim Towey, Doug Tanner, Mark Warren, Alan Wolfe, and Andrew Young.

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Contents

IN THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC TRADITION OF REALISM
13
A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS VIEW ON PUBLIC LIFE
19
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
24
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO?
41
RELIGION POLITICS AND THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
48
THE CONSERVATORY OF VIRTUE
52
THE RELIGIOUS LEFT TOO OFTEN LEFT OUT
57
AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE DISSENTING PROTESTANT TRADITION
63
THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF SOCIETAL LIFE
140
GOVERNING RELIGION
144
PARTICULARIST RELIGION IN A PLURALIST POLITICAL ARENA
150
VOTING NOT TO VOTE
155
RELIGION FAITH AND ELECTIONS
159
REASONING TOGETHER
164
FAITH IN PUBLIC OFFICE
168
THE PERSONALIZATION OF POLITICS
172

A SIXSTEP PROGRAM
67
ONCE MORE THE CROSS AND THE FLAG
72
COMMON GRACE NATURAL LAW AND THE PUBLIC ARENA
75
FAITHFUL CONSENSUS
78
RENDERING TO CAESAR AND TO GOD
88
GOD TALK AND THE CITIZENBELIEVER
94
THE POLITICS OF RELIGION IN A SINFUL WORLD
96
CUOMOLOGICAL FALLACIES
101
THE PURITANS AND AMERICAN POLITICS
106
TWO FACES OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN AMERICAN POLITICS
110
RELIGION POLITICS AND A CHANGING AMERICA
116
PROTECTING RELIGION FROM POLITICS
121
FAITH AND POLITICS
126
THE FATE OF THE CHRISTIAN LEFT
129
THE MYTH OF SECULARISM
134
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN ELECTORAL POLITICS
176
MOBILIZING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
179
RELIGIONS AND THE AMERICAN RELIGION
184
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND THE AMERICAN FOUNDING
189
THOUGHTS ON RELIGION AND POLITICS
194
BELIEF AND POWER
200
DIGNITY IN WORK AS AN ARTICLE OF FAITH
202
ITS THE CONTENT THAT COUNTS
208
FAITH AND THE PUBLIC SQUARE
212
FAITH COMMUNITIES AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
217
FAITH FREEDOM AND TOLERATION
222
CONTRIBUTORS
227
INDEX
235
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