The Religious Complexities of Politics

When the Framers first founded the United States and wrote the Constitution, their goals were very different from the goals of our country’s current government. With no mention of political parties in our Constitution, Washington urged unity above all else. Trying to reconcile the differences among 13 individually functioning nation-states was difficult, since the southern and northern colonies relied on opposing forms of commerce and favored opposing forms of government. Many of these states were also made as religious safe havens for those who faced persecution in Europe, such as the Quakers in Pennsylvania. It was this divide that would eventually lead to the Civil War. However, the divide that separates the Sun Belt from the Rust Belt is no longer purely geographical; instead, it’s ideological. 

Traveling through upstate New York is one of the easiest ways to see this divide. Urban cities are culturally and religiously diverse, generally causing residents to respect, or at the very least learn to tolerate, beliefs other than those held by their friends and family. But, as smaller towns with dwindling populations form common interests and values, a herd mentality develops, causing people to move to areas where they align with the political party or religion of the other residents. These religious beliefs—in addition to education—are causing our country’s political divide to grow exponentially, marginalizing communities across the religious spectrum and forcing political party identification to be a defining part of one’s character.

I have a family friend who identifies as a Republican, but he doesn’t agree with the idolization of former president Donald Trump that is common within the Republican party. Additionally, unlike the 73 percent of Republicans who have a strong belief in God, he’s an atheist who dislikes Trump’s racist policies. But having served in Iraq and in the military for over 20 years, hearing Kamala Harris falsely claim during the first 2024 presidential debate that no Americans are currently on active duty in a combat zone was another reminder that fighting for veterans is not always a Democratic priority. “As of June, the nonpartisan think tank Council on Foreign Relations said the U.S. had several thousand service members stationed across multiple foreign countries and on ships at sea in the Middle East. Many of these countries are in the currently recognized combat zones listed on the IRS website.” Not only is this a reminder of the way politicians continually use false or misleading narratives to get votes, but it also illustrates how communities begin to feel marginalized. This can lead to a distrust of government and a much more pessimistic view of society.  

The most stark difference between political parties is not their policies but the role of religion in determining their policies. While religion is not the only reason people are right- or left-leaning, it is clear that religion plays a role in decisions such as Florida’s Don’t Say Gay mandate, state-wide book bans, and abortion rights. Responding to the Don’t Say Gay mandate, Chase Tramont, a Republican representing Florida in the House of Representatives, imposed his belief that “In the image of God, he created them. Male and female, he created them.” This religious zeal is frightening, as it causes LGBTQ+ youth and adults to struggle with their mental health, with many becoming suicidal. It is also present in voter mentality, as 44 percent of Republicans say that religion is their source to determine morality compared to just 25 percent of Democrats. However, religion in politics is not a modern concept; it has always played a role in U.S. politics.

When John F. Kennedy first became president in 1960, many Americans feared him and the growing powers of communism. While the Kennedy Doctrine worked to expand American ideals of democracy, it also expanded executive power as JFK worked to respond to Krushchev and the actions of the Soviet Union. As a result, what Americans feared most was JFK’s Catholicism, as many became convinced that JFK would sell the country out to the pope. While it isn’t 1960 anymore, and people hold much less fear of papal influence, religion still impacts political views, as many new laws that have been passed have been based on issues of religious morality. 

This has been seen in the recent 2024 election, where Republicans have been running advertisements targeting Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff’s Jewish heritage. With some of these ads specifically running in areas with large Arab and Muslim populations, Republicans have continued to use phrasing suggesting that Harris would be pro-Israel during her presidency. These advertisements likely aim to repel leftist voters with statements such as “Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff: making history, standing up for what’s right, supporting Israel.” On the other hand, in somewhat ironic fashion, Trump, the Republican nominee, has claimed that if he loses this election, Israel will cease to exist in two years and that this will be the fault of Jews for wrongly voting for Harris. This manipulation of religious views for political gain is disturbing as it shows how easily politicians will twist or exaggerate the truth for votes. This weaponization of the growing Jewish-Muslim divide is also concerning as it suggests that politicians would condone discrimination in order to win an election. Gaining favor in the eyes of voters seems to increasingly involve making false promises, and as these promises continue to contradict each other, particularly in regard to religious issues and communities, politics becomes exhausting, and resentment grows. 

These statements are also concerning because the diversity of the U.S. makes it a unique breeding ground for disagreement and hostility. Despite the separation of church and state established in the First Amendment, the Establishment Clause, or the Johnson Amendment preventing non-profits from endorsing presidential candidates, religion and politics are deeply intertwined. These laws fail particularly due to the prevalence of religion in daily life. From His place in the Pledge of Allegiance to government buildings across the country, God has been at the forefront of American politics since the Declaration of Independence. Religion can never be forced out of people’s lives because it is so central to how many people live, as their lifestyles are defined by daily worship, meditation, and prayer. This is not a plea for the forced atheism of Americans, but I do hope for a day when the weaponization of religion ceases and people begin to recognize our nation’s diversity as our nation’s strength. 

While it is important to develop individual beliefs and values, only through civic discourse can our country become well-rounded and unified. If we constantly attack others for their political party identification and religious views, not only do we stunt growth, but our country continues to be divided. Even if your God tells you that some of the beliefs held by others are immoral, religion should be about respecting and fighting for the humanity of all people—not just those which you ideologically agree with. History and religion are similar in that there are no absolute standards for morality or “correct” actions. So, the next time you meet someone who holds a different opinion than you, learn to understand their point of view before pronouncing them a devil worshiper or racist homophobe.