Category: Religion & Politics


Paul Froese on America’s Four Gods

Paul Froese of Baylor University discusses how Americans have different views of God and how these different concepts affect our beliefs and actions in other areas of life. Based on extensive survey research and in-depth interviews he conducted with his colleague Chris Bader, Prof. Froese details four distinct images of God, including authoritative, benevolent, critical and distant. Click “read more” to find a connection to the authors’ website where you can take a survey to find out what your image of God is relative to others in the U.S.

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Jon Shields on Democratic Virtues & the Christian Right

Prof. Jon A. Shields (Claremont McKenna College) examines whether the Christian Right conforms to norms of democratic deliberation and civil discourse. Our discussion covers the history of the pro-life movement, the rise of the Religious Right, and how those movements have changed over time. Prof. Shields offers evidence that Christian conservatives do, for the most part, enhance the democratic process contrary to popular opinion.

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David Brody on the 2010 Midterm Elections and Religious Journalism

David Brody, chief political correspondent for the Christian Broadcasting Network, shares his reflections on the 2010 midterm elections in the US. We discuss the role of evangelical Christians in the Tea Party movement, the impact that religion had on the campaigns of Christine O’Donnell and Sharron Angle, and the effect that the Ground Zero mosque may have played in the elections. Mr. Brody then discusses what it is like to be a Christian journalist in Washington, DC and a secular media world.

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Ron Hassner on Sacred Spaces and Conflict

Why are conflicts over holy shrines and other sacred spaces so often violent and intractable? Prof. Ron Hassner (UC-Berkeley, political science) offers an intringuing answer that revolves around the nature and various characteristics of sacred ground. Our discussion covers the breakdown of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in 2000, the recent controversy over the “Ground Zero mosque” in New York City and several other examples.

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Corwin Smidt on Religion, Elections and the God Gap

Corwin Smidt (Calvin College and the Henry Institute) discusses the role that religion plays in national elections with a focus on the 2008 presidential campaign. We explore whether the “God gap” disappeared in the 2008 presidential contest and whether religion will play a role in the 2010 mid-term elections for Congress. (To download, right click on the download button and choose “save target as…”).

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Dan Hungerman on Religious Charity and Crowding Out

Dan Hungerman talks about whether government spending on social welfare crowds out religious charity both at the organizational and individual level. Does an increase in government spending reduce religious charity and contributions? We also discuss whether secular competitors (e.g., shopping malls) reduce participation in religious institutions.

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Jay Hein on the Faith-Based & Community Initiative

Jay Hein of Baylor’s ISR and the Sagamore Institute talks about his tenure running the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in the Bush Administration. Our discussion focuses on the history and workings of the Faith-Based Initiative, and the proper relationship between government and religious organizations.

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Eli Berman on Religious Terrorism

Eli Berman, professor of economics at UCSD, discusses the economics of religious terrorism, explaining why strict religious clubs have an advantage in securing collective action and why they can be so lethal.

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Joe Fuiten on Clergy & Politics

Should clergy members be involved in the political arena? Pastor Joe Fuiten of Cedar Park Church in Bothell, WA talks about his experience at the intersection of religion and politics. Our discussion covers a broad range of topics including government taxation, participation in campaigns, and how parishioners respond to the political views of their pastors. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)

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Karrie Koesel on Religion & Politics in China

University of Oregon political scientist Karrie Koesel addresses the relationship between religious groups and the state in the People’s Republic of China. She discovers and interesting symbiosis between church and state at the local level. (To download, right click on the button to the right and choose “save target as….”)

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