Civil Religion for Perry

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/figuring-faith/post/rick-perry-and-the-perils-of-sectarian-religion-in-2012/2011/09/22/gIQANiDOoK_blog.html

This week in a column called Figuring Faith, Robert Jones writes an interesting article where he seems to have a good understanding of this idea of Civil Religion that Fowler talks about in his writings.  In his article, Jones brings up Perry’s stance on some basic belief issues.  Many in America believe in evolution and some kind of climate change, but Perry has said that he does not believe in any evolution, but instead believes solely in creation.  This brings up the role of religion in politics.  I continue to believe that you cannot separate religion and politics because religion simply forms the basis of an individuals thoughts and opinions.  There are way too many issues in politics in which opinions are formed by religion that the two just cannot be separated.  Before I get side tracked, back to Perry’s beliefs on evolution and climate change.  In his article, Jones writes of Perry that he is, “a man who is fired more by faith and reliance on God than by academic credentials or science.” (Jones).  The disbelief of evolution and climate change in this world of advanced sciences is not a particularly popular one.  Jones has some statistical analysis showing that the majority of Americans believe that humans have evolved in some way or another over time.  Although this may not be of popular belief, it is a belief that is shaped by Perry’s religion.  Evangelical Christians believe that God has created all things and that evolution is just a “theory”.  After reading about Fowler’s idea of Civil Religion and the role of religion in politics today, I believe Fowler and Jones would agree on this idea.  Jones writes, “most Americans say it is important that a presidential candidate have strong religious beliefs.  Our new findings show that Perry’s invocation of sectarian religion and scientific skepticism will likely play well with both evangelicals and Tea Party members, who also share these views.” (Jones).  This is a key issue that Jones seems to agree with Fowler on.  Yes Perry has strong religious beliefs that don’t agree with all of America.  However, because Perry is so passionate, he will win over the votes of those who share his beliefs and since he is a Christian (a popular American religion) religion can be on his side in this country where civil religion is so prevalent.   

Religion: For or Against Rick Perry?

Religions seem to be the center of attention in this term’s presidential campaigns, which include a Mormon and two openly strong Protestant Christians.  One of which is Presidential candidate Rick Perry.   Born March 4, 1950, Rick Perry has been the Governor of Texas since 2000.  He has been the longest serving Governor for the state of Teas.  On August 13 of last month, Rick Perry announced that he is running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.  Since his campaign started, Rick Perry has received much media attention for many reasons, one being his outward display of his religious beliefs.  Kenny Walsh’s article, Rick Perry Brings Religion Back in the GOP (link below), in the U.S News is pretty typical when speaking of Rick Perry and religion, but does a good job introducing Rick Perry on the topic of religion.  Arguably the most controversial thing that Perry has done thus far was having a day of Prayer and fasting. Perry seems to be stressing that God comes first and everything is secondary to Him.  Especially in times of trouble, he believes that people are lacking God and need to seek Him more.  The article notes that some critics go so far to say that Rick Perry violates the notion of separating Church and State. 

As Robert Fowler says in his chapter, Religion, Civil Society, and Political Culture, “Some have approached religious involvement with fear or even antagonism” (Fowler 201).  Many fear Rick Perry’s strong religious beliefs and author of God, No, Penn Jillette even calls him as acting “crazy”.  The center of attention when it comes to Rick Perry and Religion is the Prayer rally that he held.  Some are calling this event unconstitutional for violating the Establishment Clause. 

Oftentimes, religion can be a deciding factor on whether or not a Presidential candidate is sworn to oath.  As Fowler’s chapter notes, Mitt Romney’s last campaign likely ended simply because of his religious outlook.  With the attention and criticism on Rick Perry’s religious beliefs, one might foresee this happening to him as well.  However, the fact that Rick Perry’s religion happens to be Protestant Christianity can make a big difference.  In his book, Religion, Race and the American Presidency, Gaston Espinosa notes that, “Since the mid-1970s, evangelical Protestants have moved from being a relatively passive and largely politically divided bloc of voters, to a relatively engaged, largely unified, and critical voting bloc within the American presidential elections.” (Espinosa 24).  The numbers also show that Protestant Christianity has been growing as well as the percentage of those who participate in voting.  The fact that Rick Perry is a Christian, as opposed to say a Mormon like Mit Romney, can be a big difference maker in the outcome of Perry’s Presidential campaign as the numbers show that many Americans share their religious beliefs with that of Rick Perry. 

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/Ken-Walshs-Washington/2011/08/08/rick-perry-brings-religion-back-into-the-gop-race