Analysis: Jonathan Rauch's Book Review - 'Cross Purposes: Christianity's Strained Alliance with Democracy'
In the United States, the intersection of religion and politics is a contentious issue that often fuels polarization. A recent book, "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain With Democracy," sheds light on this complex relationship.
The book argues that both secular liberalism and Christianity are deeply ingrained in the constitutional framework and political culture of the United States. It calls on moderate Christians to re-engage with the teachings of Jesus, lamenting that many seem to have strayed from the message of the New Testament.
The conversation around religion and politics in the U.S. is especially volatile because religion is closely intertwined with political identity and movements. Certain religious groups, such as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), fuse their religious views with nationalist rhetoric and conspiracy theories, which can escalate into political extremism and violence.
This fusion intensifies conflict because political debates become not just about policies but about fundamental worldviews and identities, making compromise difficult. The constitutional framework mandates government neutrality on religion, yet the ongoing struggle to maintain this balance often inflames tensions between religious and secular perspectives.
To bridge the divide, both believers and non-believers can focus on fostering mutual respect and engaging constructively amid conflict. Encouraging dialogue rooted in shared democratic principles, recognizing the diversity within religious communities, and avoiding extremist rhetoric are important.
The book offers an effective defence and reaffirmation of liberalism against its post-liberal and Christian nationalist critics. Secular liberals might benefit from reaffirming religious freedom, advocating for the vitality of Christian institutions, and engaging inclusively with Christian perspectives.
In popular culture, the HBO series "The White Lotus" portrays the contentious nature of religion and politics, with characters grappling with their beliefs and political affiliations. Kate, a character in the show, has been attending church regularly since moving to Austin, Texas, yet her political leanings might surprise her friends.
The solution for Christianity involves renewal of spiritual formation, reinvigorating 'civic theology', and pursuing compromise through negotiation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is used as an example of a flexible approach to religious politics.
However, the book suggests that ardent Christian believers have contributed to the destabilization of religious truth following the Protestant Reformation. Evangelical conservatism is abandoning theological precepts of Christianity for rightward hyper-partisanship. This shift is not due to liberalism's emphasis on the individual or secularism's hounding of religious expression.
Instead, the developments might be causing the moral and social dimensions of liberalism to deteriorate. Freethought played a highly influential role in American history, and advocates emphasize upholding the constitutional wall between church and state while protecting free religious expression in ways that do not disadvantage non-religious citizens. Civic engagement grounded in moral conscience rather than partisan loyalty can enable more responsible participation in democracy, even amid differing beliefs.
In summary, the contentious nature of religion and politics in the U.S. arises from religion’s deep political entanglement and identity significance, and bridging the divide requires sustained commitment to constitutional principles, respectful dialogue, rejecting extremist narratives, and participatory democracy rooted in common moral foundations from both religious and secular perspectives.
- The book "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain With Democracy" suggests that moderate Christians should re-engage with teachings of Jesus, as many have strayed from the message of the New Testament.
- The HBO series "The White Lotus" depicts the contentious nature of religion and politics, with characters like Kate who attend church regularly but might surprise their friends with their political leanings.
- Freethought, a significant influence in American history, advocates for maintaining the constitutional wall between church and state, as well as protecting free religious expression for all citizens, regardless of belief.
- The ongoing struggle to maintain balance between religious and secular perspectives in the United States can be overcome by fostering mutual respect, engaging constructively amid conflict, and participating in democracy grounded in common moral foundations from both religious and secular perspectives.
