San Jose State UniversityHumanities DepartmentProgram in Comparative Religious Studies

San Jose State UniversityHumanities DepartmentProgram in Comparative Religious Studies

RELS 162:

Religion and Political ControversyProfessor Jeffrey W. Danese

Spring Semester 2010

RELS 162:

Religion and Political ControversyProfessor Jeffrey W. Danese

Spring Semester 2010

Introduction to the Course and to the AssignmentIntroduction to the Course and to the Assignment

Course Description

In this course, we will examine how religion is a major force in contemporary conflicts in America, and how religion plays a role in the ongoing political life of the United States. The course addresses the role of institutional religions and personal religious practice in shaping public debates. Religious pluralism in the US and the history of recent and contemporary events will provide us with the contexts for examining these and related “contemporary problems (e.g. ecology, abortion, war, gender, sexuality and race) as interpreted by a diverse range of American ethno-religious groups” (SJSU course catalogue).

Course Description

In this course, we will examine how religion is a major force in contemporary conflicts in America, and how religion plays a role in the ongoing political life of the United States. The course addresses the role of institutional religions and personal religious practice in shaping public debates. Religious pluralism in the US and the history of recent and contemporary events will provide us with the contexts for examining these and related “contemporary problems (e.g. ecology, abortion, war, gender, sexuality and race) as interpreted by a diverse range of American ethno-religious groups” (SJSU course catalogue).

The AssignmentThe Assignment

Class divided into 7 groups of 4-5 students tasked with reading a book selected from a list

Each Group to select controversial topic related to the book, and develop a 15 minute video pod cast that complies with university accessibility standards and to be posted to SJSU’s iTunes U web site

Based on instructor-provided format; to outline the topic, the stakes, to ask questions, and provide an overview of scholarly perspectives and resources for further reading

Class divided into 7 groups of 4-5 students tasked with reading a book selected from a list

Each Group to select controversial topic related to the book, and develop a 15 minute video pod cast that complies with university accessibility standards and to be posted to SJSU’s iTunes U web site

Based on instructor-provided format; to outline the topic, the stakes, to ask questions, and provide an overview of scholarly perspectives and resources for further reading

The PresentationsThe Presentations1. Introduction to “America’s Sacred Ground”

- Prof. Jeff Danese

2. Republican Gomorrah - Group 13. Persp’s on Race, Ethnicity, and Rel - Group 24. What’s the Matter With Kansas? - Group 35. American Fascists - Group 46. Terror in the Name of God - Group 57. God in the White House - Group 68. God and Race in America - Group 79. Summary and Conclusion

- Prof. Jeff Danese

1. Introduction to “America’s Sacred Ground” - Prof. Jeff Danese

2. Republican Gomorrah - Group 13. Persp’s on Race, Ethnicity, and Rel - Group 24. What’s the Matter With Kansas? - Group 35. American Fascists - Group 46. Terror in the Name of God - Group 57. God in the White House - Group 68. God and Race in America - Group 79. Summary and Conclusion

- Prof. Jeff Danese

Presentation #1: Introduction to “America’s Sacred Ground”Presentation #1: Introduction to “America’s Sacred Ground”

Primary text books for the course:

McGraw & Formicola (Eds). (2005) Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics on America’s Sacred Ground, Baylor University Press.

Fowler, Hertzke, Olson, & Dulk. (2010). Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices, 4th Ed. Westview Press.

Primary text books for the course:

McGraw & Formicola (Eds). (2005) Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics on America’s Sacred Ground, Baylor University Press.

Fowler, Hertzke, Olson, & Dulk. (2010). Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices, 4th Ed. Westview Press.

A Place to Start…A Place to Start…

Barbara A. McGraw and

“America’s Sacred Ground” Problem: current polarized public debate Solution: rediscovery of founding fathers’ idea for

American political system

2 Texts: Polemics and practical solutions

and/or

Objectivity and comprehensiveness ??

Barbara A. McGraw and

“America’s Sacred Ground” Problem: current polarized public debate Solution: rediscovery of founding fathers’ idea for

American political system

2 Texts: Polemics and practical solutions

and/or

Objectivity and comprehensiveness ??

Building the Good SocietyBuilding the Good Society

Traditional Christian political theory: Premised on sinful nature of humans that

required restraint, uniformity, coercion. Church’s moral order enforced by state State’s authority supported by church Top-Down

Traditional Christian political theory: Premised on sinful nature of humans that

required restraint, uniformity, coercion. Church’s moral order enforced by state State’s authority supported by church Top-Down

Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation

John Locke (1632-1704) - secular or religious philosopher? Priesthood of believers Traditional top-down system corrupt God revealed to individuals through revelation, insight,

nature, and reason. Government’s duty is to protect individual conscience,

inalienable rights. The true and the good emerges from the ground-up. McGraw sees Locke as a religious philosopher, though

most historians do not.

John Locke (1632-1704) - secular or religious philosopher? Priesthood of believers Traditional top-down system corrupt God revealed to individuals through revelation, insight,

nature, and reason. Government’s duty is to protect individual conscience,

inalienable rights. The true and the good emerges from the ground-up. McGraw sees Locke as a religious philosopher, though

most historians do not.

John Locke’s Political TheologyJohn Locke’s Political Theology

Limited government and church Relies on goodwill of common folk

“social contract” “spontaneous societies” voluntary participation ensures living by the

courage of one’s convictions. Understood “rights” as “natural” - from God

Freedom of conscience, speech, thought, association, etc. - all necessary conditions for individuals to create the Good Society.

Limited government and church Relies on goodwill of common folk

“social contract” “spontaneous societies” voluntary participation ensures living by the

courage of one’s convictions. Understood “rights” as “natural” - from God

Freedom of conscience, speech, thought, association, etc. - all necessary conditions for individuals to create the Good Society.

Roger Williams’ InfluenceRoger Williams’ Influence

Martha Nussbaum argues in her recent book, From Disgust to Humanity (Oxford, 2010) and in her upcoming book, Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities (Princeton, 2010) that Roger Williams (1603-1683) is at least as important as Locke in articulating the ideas of the American Constitutional tradition.

“…sixthly it is the will and command of God…the permission of the most Paganish, Jewish, Turkish or anti-Christian consciences and worships be extended to all men and all countries.” -- The Bloody Tenent of Persecution for Cause or Conscience, 1644

“Your Selves pretend liberty of conscience, but alas! - it is but Self, the Great God Self - only to your Selves.” -- letter to governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut

Martha Nussbaum argues in her recent book, From Disgust to Humanity (Oxford, 2010) and in her upcoming book, Not for Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities (Princeton, 2010) that Roger Williams (1603-1683) is at least as important as Locke in articulating the ideas of the American Constitutional tradition.

“…sixthly it is the will and command of God…the permission of the most Paganish, Jewish, Turkish or anti-Christian consciences and worships be extended to all men and all countries.” -- The Bloody Tenent of Persecution for Cause or Conscience, 1644

“Your Selves pretend liberty of conscience, but alas! - it is but Self, the Great God Self - only to your Selves.” -- letter to governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut

Martha Nussbaum on Puritan Orthodoxy and Roger Williams’ influence

on freedom on conscience (speech, 2006)

Martha Nussbaum on Puritan Orthodoxy and Roger Williams’ influence

on freedom on conscience (speech, 2006)

Good Society as Free for ALL, not a “Free-for-all”Good Society as Free for ALL, not a “Free-for-all” Aiming for the True and the Good Important Assumption or Moral Grounding

Founding fathers assumed that the “pursuit of happiness” was not merely self-interest

Liberty understood as precondition for expressing one’s conscience publicly

This Public Forum

makes the Good Society

possible

Aiming for the True and the Good Important Assumption or Moral Grounding

Founding fathers assumed that the “pursuit of happiness” was not merely self-interest

Liberty understood as precondition for expressing one’s conscience publicly

This Public Forum

makes the Good Society

possible

First Core Principle:Freedom of Conscience

First Core Principle:Freedom of Conscience

Whose freedom of conscience is to be heard in the Public Forum?

Is the United States a “Christian” country? - Depends…. Arguments for depend on extremely broad and

ahistorical definitions of the term, “christian” and are most often made in support of a political agenda.

Arguments against depend on particular de-contextualized quotes from key figures and assume an extreme form of secularity.

Whose freedom of conscience is to be heard in the Public Forum?

Is the United States a “Christian” country? - Depends…. Arguments for depend on extremely broad and

ahistorical definitions of the term, “christian” and are most often made in support of a political agenda.

Arguments against depend on particular de-contextualized quotes from key figures and assume an extreme form of secularity.

ExamplesExamples“…neither pagan, nor Mohometan, nor Jew ought

to be excluded from the civil rights of the commonwealth because of his religion.” -- John Lock, Letter Concerning Toleration, 1690

“The insertion [of Jesus Christ in the preamble] was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo, and the Infidel of every denomination.” -- Thomas Jefferson, “Autobiography,” 1821.

“…neither pagan, nor Mohometan, nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the commonwealth because of his religion.” -- John Lock, Letter Concerning Toleration, 1690

“The insertion [of Jesus Christ in the preamble] was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo, and the Infidel of every denomination.” -- Thomas Jefferson, “Autobiography,” 1821.

More ExamplesMore Examples“Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of

America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion, as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen, …it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” -- from the Treaty of Tripoli, 1797

“I fully agree with the Presbyterians, that true freedom embraces the Mahomitan and the Gentoo as well as the Christian religion.” -- Richard Henry Lee, “To James Madison,” 1784

“Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion, as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen, …it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” -- from the Treaty of Tripoli, 1797

“I fully agree with the Presbyterians, that true freedom embraces the Mahomitan and the Gentoo as well as the Christian religion.” -- Richard Henry Lee, “To James Madison,” 1784

Beyond even Locke’s InclusivenessBeyond even Locke’s Inclusiveness“Locke denies tolerance to those…who deny the existence of a

god…it was a great thing to go so far…but where he stopped we may go on.” -- Thomas Jefferson, “Notes on Religion,” 1776.

“It is true, we are not disposed to differ much, at present, about religion, but when we are making a constitution, it is to be hoped, for ages and millions yet unborn….” -- Richard Henry Lee, Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican, 1777

“Locke denies tolerance to those…who deny the existence of a god…it was a great thing to go so far…but where he stopped we may go on.” -- Thomas Jefferson, “Notes on Religion,” 1776.

“It is true, we are not disposed to differ much, at present, about religion, but when we are making a constitution, it is to be hoped, for ages and millions yet unborn….” -- Richard Henry Lee, Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republican, 1777

Other founding fathers dissented from this

broad of inclusion in the Conscientious Public

Forum, but these and other quotes indicate a

far more expansive consideration on their part

than is generally acknowledged today.

Second Core Principle:Equal Dignity

Second Core Principle:Equal Dignity

Because liberty alone would eventually be co-opted by “factions” in a constant “state of war,” an impartial means of resolving disputes was necessary.

A judiciary and legal system based on the equal dignity of every human being was the basis of the “social contract” - the price for disallowing people to take the law into their own hands. “All men (sic) are created equal…” Each is made in the image of God.

Because liberty alone would eventually be co-opted by “factions” in a constant “state of war,” an impartial means of resolving disputes was necessary.

A judiciary and legal system based on the equal dignity of every human being was the basis of the “social contract” - the price for disallowing people to take the law into their own hands. “All men (sic) are created equal…” Each is made in the image of God.

The Two-Tiered Public ForumThe Two-Tiered Public Forum

In her Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously, Barbara McGraw formalizes the Public Forum into two parts:

1. Government’s legitimate actions and responsibilities to protect and maintain the freedom and dignity of citizens in the Public Forum.

2. The religious, moral, and ethical discussions about the True and the Good

In her Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously, Barbara McGraw formalizes the Public Forum into two parts:

1. Government’s legitimate actions and responsibilities to protect and maintain the freedom and dignity of citizens in the Public Forum.

2. The religious, moral, and ethical discussions about the True and the Good

1. The Civic Public Forum1. The Civic Public Forum

Regarding the legitimate authority and actions of government, politics, law enforcement, and the judiciary, based on two principles:

1. No Harm: all citizens are free in beliefs and activities as long as they do no harm to others.

2. Consistency: like a reversed golden rule, we can not deny to another what we do not deny to ourselves. No hypocrisy.

“Only those moral values that are compatible with the Civic Public Forum principles are legitimate contributions in the Civic Public Forum for law and government enforcement.” (McGraw, p. 15)

Regarding the legitimate authority and actions of government, politics, law enforcement, and the judiciary, based on two principles:

1. No Harm: all citizens are free in beliefs and activities as long as they do no harm to others.

2. Consistency: like a reversed golden rule, we can not deny to another what we do not deny to ourselves. No hypocrisy.

“Only those moral values that are compatible with the Civic Public Forum principles are legitimate contributions in the Civic Public Forum for law and government enforcement.” (McGraw, p. 15)

2. The Conscientious Public Forum2. The Conscientious Public Forum

Regarding the individual and collective duties in “communities of conscience” - not private but a necessarily public practice of persuasion and voluntary acceptance of moral standards

1. The duty to discern what conscience directs - beyond one’s own self-interest.

2. The duty to participate, demonstrate, discourse publicly - with honesty and respect.

Regarding the individual and collective duties in “communities of conscience” - not private but a necessarily public practice of persuasion and voluntary acceptance of moral standards

1. The duty to discern what conscience directs - beyond one’s own self-interest.

2. The duty to participate, demonstrate, discourse publicly - with honesty and respect.

Moral Virtue as Public DutyMoral Virtue as Public Duty

All do not have to believe in the political theology of America’s Sacred Ground - but all should recognize that it is what makes the discussion possible in the first place.

Freedom is not for one’s individual happiness, but for the happiness of everyone.

Moral development and the cultivation of virtue are necessary to fulfill the purpose of the nation: to create the Good Society.

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty and happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.” -- James Madison, Speech in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788.

All do not have to believe in the political theology of America’s Sacred Ground - but all should recognize that it is what makes the discussion possible in the first place.

Freedom is not for one’s individual happiness, but for the happiness of everyone.

Moral development and the cultivation of virtue are necessary to fulfill the purpose of the nation: to create the Good Society.

“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty and happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.” -- James Madison, Speech in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788.

Renouncing the Current Debate’s False Dichotomy and False ChoiceRenouncing the Current Debate’s False Dichotomy and False Choice

The current polarized political discourse undermines the framework, purpose, and principles of our nation.

“Liberals” against “conservatives” connotes a trial between two “sides” with voters as jury in a zero-sum competition.

NOT what the founding fathers or Locke envisioned. Should be broad discussions, debates,

exchanging ideas, seeking understanding in a cooperative effort

The current polarized political discourse undermines the framework, purpose, and principles of our nation.

“Liberals” against “conservatives” connotes a trial between two “sides” with voters as jury in a zero-sum competition.

NOT what the founding fathers or Locke envisioned. Should be broad discussions, debates,

exchanging ideas, seeking understanding in a cooperative effort

False and Destructive DichotomyFalse and Destructive Dichotomy

Media and politicians’ portrayal of “secular left” and “religious right” obscures other voices and the founders’ intent. Secularists can not explain references to God, the

divine, prayer, etc. Religionists can not explain references to other religions,

reservations about religion, etc. …because both are distorted extremes, both sides

have lost sight of America’s Sacred Ground.

Media and politicians’ portrayal of “secular left” and “religious right” obscures other voices and the founders’ intent. Secularists can not explain references to God, the

divine, prayer, etc. Religionists can not explain references to other religions,

reservations about religion, etc. …because both are distorted extremes, both sides

have lost sight of America’s Sacred Ground.

Separation of Church and StateSeparation of Church and State

Religious right seeks to present the image of a monolithic “Christianity” that minimizes historical, doctrinal, denominational differences.

Secular left seeks to keep the entire Public Forum free from any and all religious and moral language.

…BOTH are wrong and either would entail a return to the top-down political worldview that the founders repudiated.

They separated church and state for religious reasons! Not Religion vs. Secularism but Domination vs. Liberty

Religious right seeks to present the image of a monolithic “Christianity” that minimizes historical, doctrinal, denominational differences.

Secular left seeks to keep the entire Public Forum free from any and all religious and moral language.

…BOTH are wrong and either would entail a return to the top-down political worldview that the founders repudiated.

They separated church and state for religious reasons! Not Religion vs. Secularism but Domination vs. Liberty

False ChoicesFalse Choices

Moral absolutism vs. moral relativism Inevitable clash of worldviews, conflict Pluralism does NOT mean moral relativism

Moral absolutism vs. moral relativism Inevitable clash of worldviews, conflict Pluralism does NOT mean moral relativism

Americans are more tolerant than the loudest religious voices would suggest….

Americans are more tolerant than the loudest religious voices would suggest….

ConclusionConclusion

1. Religious right and secular left both entrenched; reified positions, narrow reasoning.

2. Standoff glorifies the conflict, “culture wars” … therefore both sides need to rediscover

America’s Sacred Ground … and ALL of the world’s wisdom traditions have

ideas to offer … and ALL ethnic, religious, and ideological

communities of conscience need to participate and to be heard.

1. Religious right and secular left both entrenched; reified positions, narrow reasoning.

2. Standoff glorifies the conflict, “culture wars” … therefore both sides need to rediscover

America’s Sacred Ground … and ALL of the world’s wisdom traditions have

ideas to offer … and ALL ethnic, religious, and ideological

communities of conscience need to participate and to be heard.

Concerns and ChallengesConcerns and Challenges

What role for empirical evidence? What about the party crashers? How to address the dominating role of the media? Freedom of speech and hate speech? Corporate influence on elections? Individual rights compared to capabilities or

opportunities? How to get minority faiths to participate more in the

Conscientious Public Forum?

What role for empirical evidence? What about the party crashers? How to address the dominating role of the media? Freedom of speech and hate speech? Corporate influence on elections? Individual rights compared to capabilities or

opportunities? How to get minority faiths to participate more in the

Conscientious Public Forum?

Resources for Further ReadingResources for Further Reading

Frank Lambert, Religion in Amerian Politics: A Short History (Princeton, 2008)

Mark Noll & Luke El Harlow, Eds., Religion and American Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present (Oxford, 2007)

Martin Marty, Pilgrims in Their Own Land: 500 Years of Religion in America (Little, Brown, 1984)

Diana L. Eck, A New Religious America: How a ‘Christian Country’ Has Become the World’s Most Religiously Diverse Nation (Harper, 2002)

Djupe, Paul A. and Laura R. Olson. Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics. New York: Facts On File, 2003.

Schultz, Jeffrey D., John G. West, Jr. and Iain MacLean, Eds. Encyclopedia of Religion in American Politics. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1999.

Frank Lambert, Religion in Amerian Politics: A Short History (Princeton, 2008)

Mark Noll & Luke El Harlow, Eds., Religion and American Politics: From the Colonial Period to the Present (Oxford, 2007)

Martin Marty, Pilgrims in Their Own Land: 500 Years of Religion in America (Little, Brown, 1984)

Diana L. Eck, A New Religious America: How a ‘Christian Country’ Has Become the World’s Most Religiously Diverse Nation (Harper, 2002)

Djupe, Paul A. and Laura R. Olson. Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics. New York: Facts On File, 2003.

Schultz, Jeffrey D., John G. West, Jr. and Iain MacLean, Eds. Encyclopedia of Religion in American Politics. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1999.

Internet ResourcesInternet Resources http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/religion.html U.S. Library of Congress on-line

exhibit of documents and music from the Library's collections. Religion and the Founding of the American Republic explores the role religion played in the founding of the American colonies, in the shaping of early American life and politics, and in forming the American Republic.

http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/category/religion-american-politics/ The Immanent Frame: Secularism, Religion, and the Public Sphere is the title of this collaborative blog space hosted by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)

http://pewforum.org/ The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has some of the best research, survey data, and reviews available anywhere. Good news articles and well-organized site.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ Very good and candid explanations of terms, media discourses on many topics involving religion. The layout is a bit plodding with many advertisements, but very clear, direct, unbiased, and fair-minded.

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/ From Vanderbilt University, this is the non-profit First Amendment Center’s Web site, featuring comprehensive research coverage of key issues and topics, daily news, a unique First Amendment Library and guest analyses by respected legal specialists.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/religion.html U.S. Library of Congress on-line exhibit of documents and music from the Library's collections. Religion and the Founding of the American Republic explores the role religion played in the founding of the American colonies, in the shaping of early American life and politics, and in forming the American Republic.

http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/category/religion-american-politics/ The Immanent Frame: Secularism, Religion, and the Public Sphere is the title of this collaborative blog space hosted by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC)

http://pewforum.org/ The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has some of the best research, survey data, and reviews available anywhere. Good news articles and well-organized site.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ Very good and candid explanations of terms, media discourses on many topics involving religion. The layout is a bit plodding with many advertisements, but very clear, direct, unbiased, and fair-minded.

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/ From Vanderbilt University, this is the non-profit First Amendment Center’s Web site, featuring comprehensive research coverage of key issues and topics, daily news, a unique First Amendment Library and guest analyses by respected legal specialists.