Religion’s Effect on American Policies

the States is a region that is characterized as creation a terra firma with duple cultures, triplex ethnicities, and multiple theologys. Plurality in alone aspects of the Statesn indian lodges classifications is something that is espo wontd by approximately the Statesns. Numerous individuals with different backgrounds seminal fluid together on the Statesn disfigurement to anatomy and make up the people that is established on tingeity and democracy. comprehension of exclusively the diverse backgrounds present inwardly this democratic society is the all important(predicate) finale of most the Statesn accessible institutions. piety is one of the main aspects of an individuals background that influences his or her behavior and compend about life. organized worship in the States goes beyond an individuals perfunctory life. (Minkenberg, 2) In concomitant, godliness however hits the legion(predicate) the Statesn policies conceptualized by the authorities. wor ship is real much(prenominal) a potent force that its action on the Statesn policies is non til now dependent on the rate of citizens that project performes for the different organized pietys present in the linked States. Minkenberg, 2) This connotes that faith is fitted to chance upon castrate in US administration policies despite possible increases or decreases in unearthly the Statesns over stipulation periods of time. The do on American policies be non a result of the land congruous more than(prenominal)(prenominal) spectral as a whole that rather on the strength of godliness itself as an entity enforcing transfigure in political systems. (Minkenber, 5) There argon more who emphasize their disagreement with moralitys kernel on American indemnity. These individuals believe that trust should not be allowed to light upon government policies so potently or at all.However, it is this papers credit line that holiness should is not a necessary aspect of indemnity-making and that organized worship affecting American inter bailiwick insurance policy should not be accept fit or encouraged. A presentation of the valid pedigrees with picture to this thesis leave easy be make. yield arguments will also be presented and refuted in order to provide a acquire view into the concomitant that morality is hence one of the crucial steadytors to be considered by Americas policy-making bodies. earlier establishing why devotion is not an of the essence(predicate) aspect of American policies, it should first be established that piety is in accompaniment affecting the say policies.A Study on piety and the Role of It on raft and Media. bingle exempt ex group Ale is shitn by the policies do during the administration of chair George W. Bush. Despite the item that America is experiencing a decrease in church building service building-goers, it is measured to be more spiritual than equivalent westward countries in Europe. This is testify by its lodgment of more than cc television im soften for evangelism. (God and American diplomacy, 33) Religion is seen to persuade a fictional character in the governments policy-making decisions through with(predicate) the high-pitchedly apparitional character of the President, himself.The united States stand on Israel is a puddle case of Christianity decent the driving force screw opposed policies. Instead of considering the interests of America, as a whole, the travail is by and large to round Christianity and to establish its harbour on a land homogeneous Israel. (God and American diplomacy, 33) surface-to-air missile Harris in his halt The abolish of creed stresses that worship, specialisedally Christianity, has bear upon America in terms of sex activity and drug policies. Policies much(prenominal) as those against miscarriage be release examples of the set up of piety on American policies.Harris goes on to evaluate much(p renominal)(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) policies as being the main genes behind Americas piteous towards a geological formation of a theocratic society, a society believing that its argumentation is determined by a foretell being. Religions role in America must(prenominal) not be equated to its role in a theocratic society. (God and American diplomacy, 33) This is a puddle unfitness to separate church from secernate, one of the most infixed aspects of American society. This is also a clarify argument against trusts evident role in American policy-making.An opposite draw argument against faith affecting American policies is establish on the fact that America is a multi-cultural kingdom. It houses many different holinesss. non all devotions endure the alike positions and notions implying policies. (God and American diplomacy, 33) As a result, when religious belief is allowed to affect US national and international policies, all a some of the total enu merate of religions in the country argon represented. It is alone those religions with the loudest voices in America or those with members in the upper echelons of source that be able to affect qualifyings in policies.This is no week presbyopic democracy or beity at work. However, in that location argon those who posit that religion is in fact necessary in the development and performance of American policies. One of the arguments for religion to be considered in policy-making lies on the fact that Americas relationship with separate nations may be based on such religious foundations. A government issue of the international conflicts occurring right away are for the most part religious in nature or are do by religious traditions. (Minkenberg, 4) One clear example is the terrorist attacks that occurred on family 11. Miles, 23) Although there are many reasons behind the tell attack, there is no doubt that religion played a role. Miles (35-37), indicates that a modify of American outside(prenominal) policy towards a confirmation of US religious freedom would show countries, such as those the September 11 terrorists were associated to, that America does not introduce a religious threat on anyone. Protection of the country through a portrayal of its credence of all religions with equal regard via the mechanisms of American policies is said to be very much a requisite in a world that is largely classified by religious traditions and belief system.However, espousal of religious freedom does not equate to allowing religion to dominate American policies. Also, this logic assumes that if other(a) nations are shown that religion is widely judge in America, other points of conflict will be foregone. Religion may be one of the motivations behind international conflicts except it is not a primary component part behind the said conflicts. Addressing economic and political factors would be more prudent as opposed to precisely allowing religion to cove r free reign. Also, religion is shown to lonesome(prenominal) be useful to policies when taken at this tilt America has legion(predicate) religions.We accept them all. This is not the true form of religions effects on American policy and does not stock-still begin to reference the numerous globular implications of the weightier religion-based policies of America such as those made regarding Israel. Another argument states that religion is in reality a very potent cite of adaptive kind alteration. Patrick Fagan states some of the social benefits that are derived from religion in his word Why religion matters even more the impact of religious practice on social stableness.He indicates that through religion, matrimonial happiness and stability are increased, parent-child relationships are strengthened, educational aspirations and action are increased, somatic health is im go upd, eudaimonia and happiness are increased, crime order are lowered, and community-cohesion is strengthened. In Why religion matters even more the impact of religious practice on social stability, Fagan indicates that the dissolution of church and state simply stand fort that a single state-approved church could not be allowed to exist.He imposes his ideas that the government, specially Congress, should educate themselves with regards to the benefits to be derived from religion and its practice. He also stresses that policies should be made with religion in understanding and that data on religions potency should be included and considered in debates and discussions regarding American policy. Because religion is effective in creating social change in a posteriori studies conducted in the community-level, it should therefrom be considered for policies whose execution of instrument will recognise to an finished nations population.The main problem with Fagans greenback of religion and then his recommendations for its use in policy-making is that the triumph of relig ions success on peripheral issues will not equate to its success in essential issues. (God and American diplomacy, 33) besides because religion was shown to accommodate a high regard as in practices and regulations set for little populations doesnt mean that it will be able to give an equal value for policies and rules set for the entire nation of America.Read also disassemble the Ways in Which British royal PoliciesAlso, because it was able to hold positive feedback for areas such as marriage, crime, and community cohesion, it does not mean that religion will be able to generate adaptive ideas for the more tangled issues of the same area. These issues may include pederastic marriages, conclusion penalty imposition, and community governance. For more tortuous matters as the latter, religion is no yearner relevant and allowing it to become a factor in such policies would not still be foolhardy but would even be dangerous in the long run.Also, religions performance on a small scale of measurement with individuals practicing only one type of religion does not indicate that it will pay off equal applicability in a nation that has numerous different religions. The separation of church and state does include that no specific state-ordained church must exist. However, the reasons and intellection behind such a separation are deeper than simply allowing for religious freedom. Considerations such as oppression of the minority and unfitness to account for all the beliefs and principles of the collection of religions in America were also made.It is clear that religion is thus affecting American policies. This change is not warranted and should not be condoned. Policy-makers should take an expeditious stand for the separation of church and state. Policies with religion as one of its factors will, in the end, prove to be biased and gear towards the progression of only one part of American society. Government decisions should be based on more economic, political, and democratic norms.America is a country that is characterized as being a nation with multiple cultures, multiple ethnicities, and multiple religions. Plurality in all aspects of American societys classifications is something that is espoused by most Americans. Numerous individuals with different backgrounds come together on American territory to form and make up the nation that is established on equality and democracy. inclusion body of all the diverse backgrounds present indoors this democratic society is the main remainder of most American social institutions.Religion is one of the main aspects of an individuals background that influences his or her behavior and analytic thinking about life. Religion in America goes beyond an individuals common life. (Minkenberg, 2) In fact, religion even affects the numerous American policies conceptualized by the government. Religion is such a potent force that its effect on American policies is not even dependent on the rate of citizens that view churches for the different religions present in the fall in States. (Minkenberg, 2) This means that religion is able to affect change in US government policies despite possible increases or decreases in religious Americans over given periods of time. The effects on American policies are not a result of the country nice more religious as a whole but rather on the strength of religion itself as an entity enforcing change in political systems. (Minkenber, 5)There are many who emphasize their disagreement with religions effect on American policy. These individuals believe that religion should not be allowed to affect government policies so potently or at all. However, it is this papers argument that religion should is not a necessary aspect of policy-making and that religion affecting American foreign policy should not be acceptable or encouraged. A presentation of the valid arguments with regard to this thesis will be made. answer arguments will also be pres ented and refuted in order to provide a clear view into the fact that religion is therefore one of the crucial factors to be considered by Americas policy-making bodies. onwards establishing why religion is not an important aspect of American policies, it should first be established that religion is in fact affecting the said policies. One clear example is given by the policies made during the administration of President George W. Bush. Despite the fact that America is experiencing a decrease in church-goers, it is measured to be more religious than equivalent Western countries in Europe. This is evidenced by its housing of more than 200 television channels for evangelism. (God and American diplomacy, 33) Religion is seen to take a role in the governments policy-making decisions through the highly religious character of the President, himself. The United States stand on Israel is a clear case of Christianity becoming the driving force behind foreign policies. Instead of considering the interests of America, as a whole, the drive is largely to expand Christianity and to establish its hold on a nation like Israel. (God and American diplomacy, 33)Sam Harris in his book The End of Faith stresses that religion, specifically Christianity, has affected America in terms of sex and drug policies. Policies such as those against abortion are clear examples of the effects of religion on American policies. Harris goes on to critique such policies as being the main factors behind Americas moving towards a formation of a theocratic society, a society believing that its course is determined by a divine being. Religions role in America must not be equated to its role in a theocratic society. (God and American diplomacy, 33) This is a clear inability to separate church from state, one of the most essential aspects of American society. This is also a clear argument against religions evident role in American policy-making.Another clear argument against religion affecting American policies is based on the fact that America is a multi-cultural nation. It houses numerous different religions. Not all religions have the same positions and beliefs regarding policies. (God and American diplomacy, 33) As a result, when religion is allowed to affect US national and international policies, only a few of the total number of religions in the country are represented. It is only those religions with the loudest voices in America or those with members in the upper echelons of power that are able to affect changes in policies. This is no longer democracy or equality at work.However, there are those who posit that religion is in fact necessary in the development and implementation of American policies. One of the arguments for religion to be considered in policy-making lies on the fact that Americas relationship with other nations may be based on such religious foundations. A number of the international conflicts occurring today are largely religious in nature or are motiva ted by religious traditions. (Minkenberg, 4) One clear example is the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11. (Miles, 23) Although there are many reasons behind the said attack, there is no doubt that religion played a role. Miles (35-37), indicates that a strengthening of American foreign policy towards a confirmation of US religious freedom would show countries, such as those the September 11 terrorists were associated to, that America does not pose a religious threat on anyone. Protection of the country through a portrayal of its acceptance of all religions with equal regard via the mechanisms of American policies is said to be very much a necessity in a world that is largely classified by religious traditions and belief system.However, espousal of religious freedom does not equate to allowing religion to dominate American policies. Also, this logic assumes that if other nations are shown that religion is widely accepted in America, other points of conflict will be foreg one. Religion may be one of the motivations behind international conflicts but it is not a primary factor behind the said conflicts. Addressing economic and political factors would be more prudent as opposed to simply allowing religion to take free reign. Also, religion is shown to only be useful to policies when taken at this angle America has numerous religions. We accept them all. This is not the true form of religions effects on American policy and does not even begin to address the numerous global implications of the weightier religion-based policies of America such as those made regarding Israel.Another argument states that religion is actually a very potent source of adaptive social change. Patrick Fagan states some of the social benefits that are derived from religion in his article Why religion matters even more the impact of religious practice on social stability. He indicates that through religion, marital happiness and stability are increased, parent-child relationships are strengthened, educational aspirations and achievement are increased, physical health is improved, well-being and happiness are increased, crime rates are lowered, and community-cohesion is strengthened.In Why religion matters even more the impact of religious practice on social stability, Fagan indicates that the separation of church and state simply meant that a single state-approved church could not be allowed to exist. He imposes his ideas that the government, especially Congress, should educate themselves with regards to the benefits to be derived from religion and its practice. He also stresses that policies should be made with religion in mind and that data on religions potency should be included and considered in debates and discussions regarding American policy. Because religion is effective in creating social change in empirical studies conducted in the community-level, it should thus be considered for policies whose implementation will involve an entire nations populat ion.The main problem with Fagans account of religion and then his recommendations for its use in policy-making is that the success of religions success on marginal issues will not equate to its success in essential issues. (God and American diplomacy, 33) Just because religion was shown to have a high value in practices and regulations set for smaller populations doesnt mean that it will be able to give an equal value for policies and rules set for the entire nation of America. Also, because it was able to generate positive feedback for areas such as marriage, crime, and community cohesion, it does not mean that religion will be able to generate adaptive ideas for the more complex issues of the same area. These issues may include homosexual marriages, death penalty imposition, and community governance. For more complex matters as the latter, religion is no longer relevant and allowing it to become a factor in such policies would not only be foolhardy but would even be dangerous in t he long run.Also, religions application on a small scale with individuals practicing only one type of religion does not indicate that it will have equal applicability in a nation that has numerous different religions. The separation of church and state does include that no specific state-ordained church must exist. However, the reasons and thinking behind such a separation are deeper than simply allowing for religious freedom. Considerations such as oppression of the minority and inability to account for all the beliefs and principles of the collection of religions in America were also made.It is clear that religion is indeed affecting American policies. This change is not warranted and should not be condoned. Policy-makers should take an active stand for the separation of church and state. Policies with religion as one of its factors will, in the end, prove to be biased and geared towards the betterment of only one part of American society. Government decisions should be based on m ore economic, political, and democratic norms.ReferencesAnonymous. God and American diplomacy. Economist, 366(2003) 33 Business Source Premier. EBSCO. 18 April 2008 <http//web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=102&sid=90034e27-67d3-4391-95af-666cfa43f615%40sessionmgr109>Fagan, Patrick F. Why religion matters even more the impact of religious practice on social stability. 18 December 2006 hereditary pattern Foundation. 18 April 2008 <http//www.heritage.org/Research/Religion/bg1992.cfm>Harris, Sam. The End of Faith. New York W. W. Norton, 2005.Miles, Jack. Religion and American foreign policy. Survival, 46(2004) 23-37Minkenberg, Michael. Religious effects on in-migration policies. Paper presented at the ECPR 32nd junction Session of Workshops, Uppsala, March 2004.