To save democracy, you might want to go to church
To the average observer concerned with the future of American democracy, it might be easy to conclude that religion has been part of the problem — particularly over the last few years. Right-wing religious leaders, including the leading Southern Baptist televangelist Robert Jeffress, have endorsed “Christian nationalism”; other evangelical pastors and conservative Catholic intellectuals have […]
A new book co-written by conservative evangelical Matthew Kaemingk and liberal Muslim Shadi Hamid argues that the erosion of religion in American society has led to increased political polarization and a weakening of democratic norms. They assert that religious institutions and organized faith traditions play a crucial role in tempering emotions, fundamentalism, and nihilism in society.
As people withdraw from churches, their religious fervor is redirected towards political arenas, where it often manifests as unbridled passions and secular ideologies. The authors contend that the absence of organized religion leaves a vacuum that is filled by political fervor, which lacks the guidance, accountability, and moral certainty provided by faith traditions.
They suggest that liberals, including those who do not identify as religious, should engage with religious communities and their teachings with greater openness and curiosity to help restore a sense of discipline, moderation, and inclusivity in American public life.
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