One Electorate under God?: A Dialogue on Religion and American Politics (Pew Forum Dialogue Series on Religion and Public Life)

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 ar ises 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. " 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 ar ises from the idea that public deliberation is more honestand more democraticwhen officials are open and reflective about the interactions between their religious convictions and their commitments in the secular realm. This volumethe first of its kindseeks 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. " How would God vote?: an introduction / E.J. Dionne Jr. and Kayla M. Drogosz In the American Catholic tradition of realism / Mario Cuomo A conservative Christian's view of public life / Mark Souder Continuing the conversation What is a Christian to do? / Doug Bandow Religion, politics, and the American experience / Michael Barone The conservatory of virtue / Gary L. Bauer The religious left, too often left out / Paul E. Begala American politics and the dissenting Protestant tradition / Robert Bellah How Niebuhr helps us kick the secularist habit: a six step program / David Brooks Once more, the cross and the flag / Harvey Cox Common grace, natural law, and the public arena / Michael Cromartie Faithful consensus / John J. DiIulio Jr. Rendering to Caeser and to God / Terry Eastland God talk and the citizen-believer / Jean Bethke Elshtain The politics of religion in a sinful world / Richard Wightman Fox Cuomological fallacies / Robert P. George The Puritans and American politics / Andrew Greeley Two faces of religious pluralism in American politics / John C. Green Religion, politics, and a changing America / Anna Greenberg Protecting religion from politics / Susannah Heschel Faith and politics / Amory Houghton Jr. The fate of the Christian left / Michael Kazin The myth of secularism / M. A. Muqtedar Khan The spiritual dimension of societal life / Glen C. Loury Governing religion / Martha Minow Particularist religion in a pluralist political arena / Stephen V. Monsma Voting not to vote / Mark A. Noll Religion, faith, and elections / David Novak Reasoning together / Ramesh Ponnuru Faith in public office / David E. Price The personalization of politics / Jeffrey Rosen The role of religion in electoral politics / Cheryl J. Sanders Mobilizing political participation / Julie A. Segal Religions and the American religion / James W. Skillen Religious liberty and the American founding / Matthew Spalding Thoughts on religion and politics / Jeffrey Stout Belief and power / Robert Suro Dignity in work as an article of faith / John Sweeney It's the content that counts / W. Douglas Tanner Jr. Faith and the public square / Jim Towey Faith communities and American democracy / Mark R. Warren Faith, freedom, and toleration / Alan Wolfe Annotation 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 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 volume-the first of its kind-seeks to promote a greater understanding of American thinking about faith and public office in a pluralistic society

a Product Of The Pew Forum On Religion And Public Life, This Text Presents A Collection Of Essays Debating The Role Of Religion In American Politics. The Text Is Anchored Upon A Pair Of Opposing Essays By Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, A Liberal Catholic, And Indiana Congressman Marc Souder, A Conservative Evangelical. After These Two Essays Souder And Cuomo, With Others, Respond To The Positions Of Their Opponent. This Is Followed By 39 Short Essays Touching Upon The Theme By Such Figures As Gary Bauer, Paul Begala, David Brooks, And John Sweeney. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, Or

OF COURSE NO ONE knows whom God would vote for, through most religious people do think-or at least hope-that the Almighty would come down on the side of their party, their cause, their candidates.