The Church as a model of how Christianity is foundational to American democracy

[Nofear]

Scholar Jonathon Rauch had a recent podcast. This article summarizes some of it. Though not really religious himself (agnostic/atheist Jew) basic thesis is that our nation, as a whole, needs Christianity in conjunction with our secular ideals.

https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/02/17/scholar-applauds-lds-church/

[Calm]

Quote

Since America’s founding, Christianity has been a “load-bearing wall” of democracy, but in recent decades, it has given up that role, and that, argues writer and scholar Jonathan Rauch, has led to the country’s current crisis.

In his newly released book, “Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain With Democracy,” the self-described gay, Jewish atheist critiques secular Americans who think Christianity should be abandoned and Christian Americans who blame secular culture for their grievances. He shows why the two must work together — and points to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an example of how to do it.

For those who want to read it and can’t, try using the reader’s version by clicking on the icon on the left side of the address bar.

the podcast:  https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/02/12/mormon-land-podcast-scholar/

other sources for his ideas are listed in Smac’s thread.

Webbles supplied a very useful link there to Rauch’s main presentation at BYU.  I like this link rather than the YouTube one because on the left side they provide multiple links to where Rauch’s ideas are discussed in articles and podcasts, including the faithmatters conversation between Givens and Rauch’s.

https://wheatley.byu.edu/religion/christian-renewal-and-the-future-of-american-democracy

Edited February 17, 2025 by Calm

[Dario_M]

I don't see the similarity between those 2 if i may be honest. 

Edited February 18, 2025 by Dario_M

[Calm]

I like the Faith Matters presentation better because they get into the nitty gritty of our doctrine that contributes to Latter-day Saint teachings being a good example of a civic theology as demonstrated by the Church being willing to work with others in producing the Utah Compromise and the Right to Marriage Act even while viewing homosexual romantic and sexual behaviour as a sin.

 

[Injeun]

Then again, some things or circumstances can only be settled by force. The war in heaven and the Declaration of Independence which came to fruition in the Revolutionary War are two examples of how negotiating with evil is pointless. Our basic laws against theft, plunder, rape, and murder are also matters of conscience, not negotiation. I mean that thieves, plunderers, rapists, and murderers see no wrong in their doings. Truth is upheld, not negotiated. 

[Nofear]

Oops, this is a dupe thread from Smac's. Better to put comments in his thread.
 

 

[Calm]

5 hours ago, Injeun said:

the Declaration of Independence which came to fruition in the Revolutionary War are two examples of how negotiating with evil is pointless.

I know some Canadians who see American rebels as trigger happy and not on the side of good in the Revolutionary war, especially with the invasion of Canada and other attacks.

For example, one of the triggers for the rebellion was the negative reaction of American Protestant colonists to giving Catholics rights to freely practice their religion.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/american-revolution

Quote

The passing by the British Parliament of the Quebec Act in 1774 led to further anger in the 13 American colonies. The Act guaranteed religious freedom for Roman Catholics and restored French civil law in the conquered colony of Quebec – raising the ire of anti-Catholic AmericanProtestants.

Then there was the privateering (read officially authorized pirates)…

Quote

Nearly every important coastal outpost outside Halifax suffered from American privateering.

 

Edited February 18, 2025 by Calm

[Tacenda]

How do Utahn's or elsewhere feel about the new proposal of making Good Friday a legal holiday? I don't feel it's right. It excludes other religions. Unless we're going to start having legal holidays for them as well. https://www.ksl.com/article/51252021/utah-may-join-12-states-that-recognize-good-friday-as-a-legal-holiday

Edited February 18, 2025 by Tacenda

[Calm]

Depends what is meant by legal holiday.  I don’t have a problem with recognition though I hope we are also recognizing nonChristian faiths’ important holidays in the same way.  If we aren’t, I am against it as we already have enough recognition of Christian holidays (legally 52 most years plus one and sort of another, each Sunday, Christmas and sort of Thanksgiving)

Given the current list, I vote “no”.

https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter1/C63G-1-P3_1800010118000101.pdf

Edited February 18, 2025 by Calm

[Tacenda]

2 minutes ago, Calm said:

Depends what is meant by legal holiday.  I don’t have a problem with recognition though I hope we are also recognizing nonChristian faiths’ important holidays in the same way.  If we aren’t, I am against it as we already have enough recognition of Christian holidays.

I feel the same, thanks for the input!

[The Nehor]

9 hours ago, Calm said:

Depends what is meant by legal holiday.  I don’t have a problem with recognition though I hope we are also recognizing nonChristian faiths’ important holidays in the same way.  If we aren’t, I am against it as we already have enough recognition of Christian holidays (legally 52 most years plus one and sort of another, each Sunday, Christmas and sort of Thanksgiving)

Given the current list, I vote “no”.

https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title63G/Chapter1/C63G-1-P3_1800010118000101.pdf

[Tacenda]

This guy has written a book about his religion, the Southern Baptists and the Christian Evangelicals. He goes into how the youth are coming to him worried about their parents, and not the other way around, because the parents are going down rabbit holes or believing crazy conspiracy theories. He mentions it's because of the political atmosphere with Trump and how it's changed the people for the worst. I feel that this is happening everywhere, families being divided, friendships etc. But he's hoping that this will all help people get back to Christianity as it was supposed to be. He seems to have hope that things will become better than they are now.