Politics and America's religious divide

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Politics and America's religious divide

By Al Swanson
January 2, 2005

In a way, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, the Democratic vice presidential candidate who spoke of two Americas during his unsuccessful run for his party's presidential nomination, was right. But the two Americas that decided the presidential election were not exactly the rich and affluent America and the America that lives paycheck to paycheck Edwards described in his stump speech.

A pundit said the outcome was determined more by people who go to church on Sunday and shop at Wal-Mart – and those who rarely attend church and wouldn't be caught dead at Wal-Mart. Conservative fundamentalist religious groups are flexing their muscle after taking credit for re-electing President George W. Bush. A well-organized Christian right is looking for a tangible payoff and is not likely to go the way of "soccer moms" – who faded as a political force after Sept. 11, 2001. The agenda has changed from fighting Communism in the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s to domestic issues like opposing abortion and homosexuality.

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The polarization of America, it seems, is about more than red and blue states – Republican or Democratic politics. It's about lifestyle and attitude buttressed by partisan media choices that tend to reinforce existing views, opinions and prejudices rather challenging them or demand respect for alternative ideas.

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Christian evangelicals who have been mobilizing around a conservative agenda for 35 years are elated about a Bush second term. They expect follow through on appointment of anti-abortion judges to federal courts, including the Supreme Court. Bush has said his personal faith gave him "the freedom to do the right thing even if it doesn't poll well."

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The Justice Department filed a friend-of-the-court brief asking Supreme Court justices to rule in favor of the constitutionality of displaying the Ten Commandants in public courthouses. The high court banned displays of the Ten Commandants in public schools 24 years ago. The next four years may be the high-water mark for religious conservatives, and the Bush domestic agenda will include elements of its "moral mandate." Bush reads the Bible, prays daily, participates in Bible studies and attends church regularly. He doesn't shop at Wal-Mart, but then he doesn't have to pinch pennies.

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Swanson covers urban affairs for United Press International.