Why Politics Needs Religion: The Place Of Religious Arguments In The Public Square

Book Summary

Should religion and politics mix? Brendan Sweetman says it can, and that in fact, politics without some religious belief contributes little to civil society. Likewise, religion is in no danger when it takes its proper place in political debate. For any perceptive reader who wants to explore the relationship between religion and politics, or culture wars issues. Can relligion and politics mix? Many voices reply, "No way " Yet in this provocative and timely book, Brendan Sweetman argues against this charge and the various sophisticated arguments that support it. As we witness the clash of religious and secular worldviews he claims that our pluralistic democratic society will be best served when the faith elements of secularism are acknowledged and the rational elements of religious arguments are allowed to inform the momentous debates taking place in the public square. In fact, Sweetman contends that "politics needs religion if it is to be truly democratic, concerned with fairness among worldviews, equality and a vigorous public discussion."

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