Is Politics America's New Religion?
Dawson Penshorn |
TEDxValparaisoUniversity
• February 2021
American politics is replacing traditional religion as the fundamental truth from which one operates. For example, this summer showed examples of the both the left and the right's nasty results of integrating religion into one's politics, namely nationalist idolatry and cancel culture. As public discourse has shifted towards greater activism, it is becoming clear that traditional religion no longer stands on its own, but is being used as a political tool to justify one's position and condemn the opposition. But Americans have not stopped worshipping, they have just shifted their focus. Political issues and movements have identifiable parallels to Judeo-Christian ideas like a heaven, sin, a savior, and a holy text. As a result, we are quick to judge heretics of an opposite political leaning, and lost all meaning of grace or forgiveness. However, there is a place for religious Americans in the modern political discourse, as Jesus' ministry was inherently political and challenged societal norms as well as Muhammad's and other traditional religions.