Civil Religion and the Renewal of American Politics

American culture is evolving rapidly as a result of shifts in its religious landscape. American civil religion is robust enough to make room for new perspectives, as religious pluralism is foundational for democracy. Moreover, as Amy Black and Douglas L. Koopman argue, American religion and politics are indivisible. In this study, they interrogate three visions of American identity: Christian nationalism, strict secularism, and civil religion. Whereas the growth of Christian nationalism and strict secularism foster division and threaten consensus, by contrast, a dynamic, self-critical civil religion strengthens democracy. When civil religion makes room for robust religious pluralism to thrive, religious and nonreligious people can coexist peacefully in the public square. Integrating insights from political science, history, religious studies, and sociology, Black and Koopman trace the role of religion in American politics and culture, assess the current religious and political landscape, and offer insights into paths by which the United States might reach a new working consensus that strengthens democracy.

Amy E. Black is Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College. A former APSA Congressional Fellow, her book projects include Five Views on Church and Politics (2015), Honoring God in Red or Blue (2012), and Religion and American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives (2010). Douglas L. Koopman is Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Calvin University.