Cato Daily Podcast Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy
8 snips
Jan 30, 2025 Jonathan Rauch, author of "Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy," passionately argues for a harmonious relationship between Christian values and liberal democracy. He discusses the declining influence of Christianity in American public life and critiques the rise of divisive ideologies in its absence. Rauch emphasizes the importance of character and moral education in governance. He also reflects on how political identities have overtaken religious affiliations, urging a return to principles like courage and dignity to foster civil discourse.
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The Rise of Pseudo-Religions
- Rauch initially celebrated secularism, believing it would foster enlightenment values.
- He now argues the decline of traditional religion creates a void filled by destructive pseudo-religions.
Christianity's Role in American Democracy
- The Founding Fathers emphasized the importance of civic virtues for a functioning republic.
- These virtues, like lawfulness and civility, were traditionally instilled by civil society, especially Christianity.
Declining Church Attendance and Christian Identity
- Church attendance has declined significantly, with non-churchgoers doubling to 80 million.
- The percentage of self-identified Christians has dropped from 75% to just over 60%.
