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. |
From inside the book
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... public acknowledgment of God . One of the more prominent legal issues is that of public dis- play of the Ten Commandments . The nationally celebrated saga of Roy S. Moore, the “Ten Commandments Judge,” reveals the complex 7 Part I.
... reveals the complex interplay of political and legal dynamics swirling around the issue of public religious expression. Specifically, Moore's case illustrates the competition of conflicting worldviews in the public square. As a result ...
... reveals a com- plex mix of religious passion , moral philosophy , legal arguments , and democratic politics . Disentangling this mix will expose a stark contrast among religious and political possibilities , a contrast challenging the ...
... revealed about himself and his order for the world . " 29 In the United States , where the secular culture increasingly exhibits dislike of ethical rules , Carter defends the posting of the Decalogue in public buildings to stem the ...
... reveals deeper and more disturbing implications for the relationship between religion and politics, implications extending beyond trivialization by the courts and political hostility. Pearcey argues that beyond the present conditions of ...
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Reaping the Whirlwind: Liberal Democracy and the Religious Axis John R. Pottenger No preview available - 2007 |