20th Century American Religion and Politics

Author: Dong Xiaochuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-02-01
Features: The author of Religion and Politics in 20th-Century America is Dong Xiaochuan, a professor and doctoral supervisor at the Department of History, Northeast Normal University. The publication of this book was financially supported by the Social Sciences Department of Northeast Normal University and was published and distributed by the People's Publishing House in February 2002. The book is 210,000 words in total. This book is the final outcome of the National Social Sciences Fund Planning Project for 1999, "The Role of Religion in American Social and Political Life Since the 20th Century," which was led by Professor Dong Xiaochuan. Professor Dong Xiaochuan is a member of the "World Civilization History Research Center" at the Department of History, Northeast Normal University. Therefore, this book is published as part of the "Northeast Normal University World Civilization History Series." The book argues that, first, the combination, coordination, integration, and alignment of religion and politics are prominent features of American politics, and religion has played and continues to play an indispensable role as a national ideology. In domestic political life, whether it is citizens, the president, Congress, or the judiciary, they are all closely related to religion. Over the 100 years of the 20th century in foreign relations, from the October Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, nearly 80 years of international relations and politics were dominated by the struggle between two different social systems and ideological theories. During that struggle, religion played a unique role. Therefore, American scholars believe that ideological anti-communism is the adhesive that unites American liberals, moderates, and conservatives, especially within elite groups. Second, religion is the central axis of American culture, and American culture can be called a religious culture, primarily manifested in two aspects: one is the significant value of religion in the formation of American political culture, and the other is the continuous service of religion to the legalization of American liberalism and its political and social order. Here, we can use the "revival" role of church religion in different periods to summarize the basic trajectory of American cultural development, or use the role of civil religion in American national unified moral and value systems to express the basic characteristics of American cultural existence. Third, religious belief pluralism is the fundamental support for the existence and development of American society. In his second inaugural address, President Clinton said, "We have a rich diversity of race, religion, and politics, which will be a blessing in the 21st century. Those who can live, learn, and forge new bonds of unity together will reap great rewards." Whether religious diversity determines political pluralism or political pluralism determines religious diversity, both prove that the interdependent relationship between American religion and politics has shaped the American nation and state. As a historically formed multi-ethnic, multi-religious immigrant country, the United States cannot embody the principle of religious freedom without religious belief pluralism; as a cultural system dominated by the Christian (Protestant-Catholic-Jewish) trinity, the United States cannot lose the foundation of its cultural existence without religious belief pluralism. In the American judgment of personal values, religious factors hold an important position. The book argues that, from another perspective, the United States is also a secular country that has evolved from a religious history, and this process itself is a process of religious secularization. During this process, the role of religion in social and political life has not only not decreased but has become even more important. The book explains from multiple aspects and fields, such as the president, citizens, Congress, interest groups, the judiciary, and foreign affairs, that the role of religion in American social and political life is extraordinary; it also explains from multiple aspects, such as elections, morality, race, interests, and rights, that the value of belief should not be underestimated. Specifically, the book's main content and arguments include: 1. The book argues that before the 20th century, the relationship between religion and politics in American history underwent a process of change, during which the United States followed a path from theocracy to the separation of religion and state. Therefore, the book explains the rise and fall of the theocratic regime of the United States' immigrant ancestors; elaborates on how the political elites who led the American independence movement took the path of democratic politics; introduces the choice of the founding fathers in establishing the separation of religion and state; and reveals the success of political theologians in emphasizing "moral reconstruction" in the post-Civil War reconstruction of the South. 2. The book argues that the U.S. president is not only the head of government but also the spiritual leader of the nation. The book explains the religious beliefs of the president as a spiritual leader and their political value; the relationship between religious factions and party politics in presidential elections; and the relationship between the morality and religion of presidential candidates. This is particularly emphasized on the participation of religious factions in U.S. presidential elections, especially the increasing social activism and influence of the Christian right since the 1980s, which indicates the development of religious forces in the United States. 3. The book argues that American citizens are both secular people and religious believers, with very few non-believers. Therefore, to understand the United States, one must first understand the religious beliefs and views of American citizens. The book explains the relationship between the diversified religious beliefs of American secular citizens and political pluralism, narrates and elaborates on the renewal and conflicts within Protestantism, the establishment of the status of the three major mainstream religions (Protestantism-Catholicism-Judaism), the prominence of religious pluralism, the religious beliefs and social status of ethnic minorities, and issues such as religion, politics, and the national unified moral views of the United States. The book argues that religion, as a form of social culture, has an irreplaceable role and value in the history and reality of the United States. 4. The book argues that the U.S. Congress is a political forum where political elites gather. It not only legislates on secular issues but also on religious issues, making the religious beliefs and views of members of Congress very important in influencing legislation. The book narrates and elaborates on the religious beliefs of members of Congress and their political significance; explains the influence of religious forces on the views of members of Congress and the channels through which it occurs; and discusses the relationship between religious legislation and freedom of belief. The book argues that the U.S. government's policy on religious beliefs, legislation, and the legal system is very clear, that is, to consider issues from the perspective of citizens' rights and national interests. 5. The book argues that the United States is a society composed of various interest groups, including religious interest groups. Therefore, in the question of whether religious belief is supreme or political pursuit is more important, each interest group has a choice. The book narrates the basic status of religious interest groups in the national political life of the United States; explains the belief principles and political pursuits of religious factions; and elaborates on the ways and characteristics of religious interest groups participating in national politics. In these issues, the book pays particular attention to the rise of the Catholic interest group and specifically explains the trend of cooperation among various religious interest groups. 6. The book argues that the U.S. judiciary is not only an institution for determining secular matters but also an institution for enforcing moral standards and legal measures. The book first elaborates on the legal rulings of the U.S. judiciary on religious freedom; then specifically explains the extremely important and special status of religion in American education; and also discusses the moral judgments of Americans on religious issues. The book argues that in the rulings of religious cases, the U.S. judiciary upholds the interests of the nation and its citizens and does not tolerate that disrupt national order and harm people's physical and mental health. 7. The book argues that U.S. foreign policy is a combination of religious nationalism and secular national interests, and during the implementation of foreign policy, the religious mission in religious nationalism holds an irreplaceable and indispensable position. The book discusses the manifestations, characteristics, essence, and role of religious nationalism in the United States. The book argues that U.S. foreign activities are carried out under the impetus of religious mission, which is a source of strength; this chapter particularly explains the participation of the United States in the World Anti-Communist Crusade, which is directly related to the export of American religious culture; in the U.S. global strategy, religion has an indispensable value and role. Religion is the spiritual source of the American nation; secularized religion is the basic support of U.S. political life. The relationship between American religion and politics has always been, is now, and will always be inseparable. Studying and exploring the relationship between American religion and politics and their interplay is the foundation and key to understanding American culture and American civilization, and understanding the role of religious factors in American social and political life is the key to understanding American society. In the academic circles of our country, there are not many works that take the relationship between religion and politics as the main research content, so this book has certain reference significance for our academic circles to delve deeper into the study of American history, religion, and political systems. At the same time, as the world's history is being reconstructed along cultural lines, the Sino-U.S. relationship and its development trends are of great significance. China should and must deeply and comprehensively understand the United States and its society, so this book will have certain reference value for some government departments and leaders in our country when formulating policies.