The role of Church in American Political Life
Based on your understanding and definition of religious freedom, evaluate the role of the church in political life. Be sure to use an anthropological perspective. The essays should contain at least five paragraphs and completely address the question. Use this as thesis statement: Anthropologists need to evaluate the cultural context and definition of religious freedom when examining the role of the church in American political life Source - http://www(dot)pbs(dot)org/godinamerica/view/ Source - http://www(dot)state(dot)gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/07/195765.htm Source - http://www(dot)pbs(dot)org/wnet/religionandethics/?p=10304 Source - http://www(dot)pbs(dot)org/wnet/religionandethics/?p=6978 Source - http://www(dot)pewforum(dot)org/2013/01/16/religious-groups-official-positions-on-abortion/ Source - http://www(dot)pewforum(dot)org/topics/church-state-law/ Source - http://www(dot)pewforum(dot)org/2009/11/04/religious-groups-official-positions-on-capital-punishment/ Source - http://www(dot)pewforum(dot)org/topics/education/ Source - http://www(dot)pewforum(dot)org/2012/12/07/religious-groups-official-positions-on-same-sex-marriage/ Source - http://features(dot)pewforum(dot)org/politics/2010/
The role of Church in American Political Life
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Introduction
This thesis calls for the need of anthropologists to evaluate cultural context and definition of Religious freedom when examining the role of the church in American political life. This is because; the role of the church in American political life influences almost all aspects of the social being of each American, regardless of personal belief (Wallis, 2013). For most Americans, this is a violation of their freedom of worship. Although political culture influences the American church and the society as well, most studies indicate that the role of church shapes up American policies, laws and economy (Haidt, 2013). The church forms a political culture that is derived from specific historical experience of the nation or religious groups in the value of acquisition of power through institutionalized means and competitive struggle for the people’s vote. The church and the state need to base its relationship on the fundamental of worship and an official relationship between the church and running of the state (Lambert, 2010).
Evidence indicates that there is fundamental relationship between the church and the political culture of America, because values and orientations of politics in the country are shaped by the values found in the church. At the same time, the politics of the day influences the church, being a religion with highest number of followers in the United States. This was evident during the 2008 presidential elections where it came out clear on how the church influenced the presidential voting (Fowler, Hertzke, & Olson, 2010). The handling of immigrants, call for social freedom has also galvanized religious freedom all over the country (PBS, 2014).
Due to different social views United States, people form groups that are divided within the church views. For example, the motion on abortion and same sex marriage is condemned in some religious groups while supported by other groups. The issue of abortion and use of contraceptives divides political groups in order to win people’s hearts. For example, the Catholic Church which is one of the biggest churches in America does not support use of contraceptives influenced shaping up of President Obama’s health insurance bill (Dubois, 2013). At the same time, the America Baptist Church encourages women who consider the procedure to seek spiritual counsel so as to make informed decisions (PewResearch, 2013).
The church culture is also accused as being forced to citizens in some states; in some offices in the United States it is mandatory that any board meeting sh...