Reaping the Whirlwind: Liberal Democracy and the Religious AxisAs early as the sixteenth century the liberal democratic state has been forced to confront the question of religion in politics. The result has been a tense and uncomfortable balancing act. Today, in the public square of liberal democracy, a number of religious confessions and beliefs compete for attention. In the American experience, some sense of religious pluralism and relative social harmony has been maintained. However, for this relationship to prevail, a tension must continue to exist—one that balances the political and social pursuits of self-interest with meeting the objectives of the common good. In Reaping the Whirlwind, John R. Pottenger shows how this process began in the modern world, and how societies attempt to manage this ongoing conflict. The first part of the book lays the groundwork of his analysis by using examples from history to demonstrate the genesis of political and religious "whirlwinds." It goes on to explore contemporary case studies, such as conflicts between Mormons and Evangelicals in the United States, liberation theology in Latin America, Islam and the state in Uzbekistan, and radical Christian reconstructionism. Pottenger believes that the formal institutions of liberal democracy should maintain this turbulence, even as religious activism threatens to upset the balance. He concludes by advocating religious liberty and recognizing the individual and social need for expression. At the same time, he maintains that the survival of liberal democracy requires that these religious traditions not dominate the public sphere. |
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... republic has unofficially been delegated to the courts, legal disputes and decisions have generated widespread attention. Indeed, many religious critics argue that decisions of the courts have come to dominate politics regarding the ...
... republic as sufficient justifica- tion for Christianity's continued presence and predominance in American politics. Defense of the public display of the Ten Com- mandments resonates with millions of Americans who believe that their ...
... republic has unofficially been delegated to the courts, legal disputes and decisions have generated widespread attention. Indeed, many religious critics argue that decisions of the courts have come to dominate politics regarding the ...
... republic as sufficient justifica- tion for Christianity's continued presence and predominance in American politics. Defense of the public display of the Ten Com- mandments resonates with millions of Americans who believe that their ...
... republic and the framers of the U.S. Constitution to be a binding historical precedent and defends his position on the roles of church and state by reference to that original intent. Moore's understanding of the historical meaning of ...
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Reaping the Whirlwind: Liberal Democracy and the Religious Axis John R. Pottenger No preview available - 2007 |