The Opinions
What If Our Democracy Can’t Survive Without Christianity?
Dec 18, 2024
David French, an opinion columnist and lifelong evangelical, discusses the intersection of Christianity and American democracy with Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow and author. They explore how core Christian values can bolster democratic ideals while critiquing the troubling partnership of evangelicals with political power. The dialogue touches on 'thick Christianity' and its role in civic engagement, as well as how believers and atheists might find common ground in a politically charged landscape.
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Quick takeaways
- The alignment of white evangelicals with political power has revealed a cultural and spiritual crisis within American Christianity, challenging traditional ethical values.
- Thick Christianity promotes genuine community engagement and civic virtues, encouraging believers to interact positively with diverse political perspectives.
Deep dives
The Surprising Alliance of Evangelicals and Trump
The overwhelming support of white evangelicals for Donald Trump has raised significant questions about the relationship between faith and politics in America. Despite his character flaws and controversial actions, many evangelicals voted for him in three consecutive presidential elections, revealing a surprising alignment between political power and religious identity. This phenomenon challenges the expectation that evangelical values would naturally align with moral leadership, suggesting a deeper cultural and spiritual crisis within the community. The juxtaposition of evangelical support for Trump against the earlier emphasis on character raises concerns about the loss of a genuine ethical foundation in American Christianity.
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