The Conventions and the Religion of the Republic

My friend and Disciples of Christ historian of American Christianity Mark Toulouse offers a trenchant look at the religious dimension of the two conventions for PBS' Religion and Ethic's Newsweekly. Mark is author of God in Public: Four Ways American Christianity and Public Life Relate (WJK, 2006), and Professor of American Religious History at Brite Divinity School.

Mark notes that Democrats did a better job than in recent years in engaging religion at their recent convention, largely due to Barack Obama's desire to connect with religious communities and ideals. The Republicans have long been considered the "religious party."

Mark contrasts the two visions, both of which are deeply rooted in an American civil religion. The Democrats point to the example of America's promise versus the Republicans' ideal of America's imperialistic mission. The Republicans, especially John McCain, sees this as a contest between good and evil and that America must defeat evil -- for it is the chosen nation. Democrats are less confident in this vision and prefer to allow the power of example stand before an expansion of American power as the work of God.

Thus, on one hand:

These are two very different versions of the religion of the Republic. One emphasizes the life of the ordinary American and the divine right existing in the promise of America to fulfill all God-given potential. It is largely a religion aimed at self-interest. As Hillary Clinton said, "it comes down to you -- the American people, your lives, and your children's futures."
and on the other:
The other version highlights evil in the world and is confident that America is the divine agent called to fight it, a nation on the offensive.

If you're at all interested in the relationship of religion and public life, this is a must read article! As for my own opinion, I'm uncomfortable with civil religion, but of the two visions, I'm much more comfortable with the Democrats than the Republicans, but we must keep things in perspective!

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