How can America be religiously devout, religiously diverse, and religiously tolerant? When we look at other nations, or even this nation at other periods in history, religious differences have led to discord and even bloodshed. And yet the United States has a remarkably high level of religious tolerance. Indeed, this tolerance is even more remarkable in light of the divisive role religion plays in our politics. This course will examine the ways in which religion is interwoven into American politics. Then it will turn to trying to solve the puzzle of America’s religious pluralism—if religion is so politically divisive, why are Americans so accepting of (most) religions other than their own? What explains the exceptions?
David CampellAuthor
University of Notre DameInstitution
Private College or University Institution Type
Syllabus Resource Type
Undergraduate Course Class Type
2011 Date Published
Religious Studies, Political Science, Sociology Discipline
General Comparative Traditions Religous Tradition
Race/Ethnicity Topics