The Diminishing Divide: Religion's Changing Role in American Politics Book

The Diminishing Divide takes on a subject that can baffle even the most seasoned political operative or scholar: religion's influence on American political attitudes and behavior. The United States, a profoundly religious nation that sought to erect an impenetrable wall between church and state, now finds religion and politics tightly interwoven. Religion has been a powerful moral and cultural force since the nation's founding, but its influence on politics was more subtle in the past, when most presidents and other political leaders considered their religious beliefs to be private. In the last two decades, however, chief executives and candidates alike have been quick to express their faith in God, and many citizens-on both the right and the left-readily acknowledge the importance of religion in guiding their political beliefs and participation. The authors argue that religion will continue to alter the political landscape in the next century, perhaps in unexpected ways.Read More