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The Rt Rev. James Jones |
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A famous Harvard economist writing about the American election warned: "Religion in the rural cornbelt, Great Plains and down into rural Texas has become an issue greater than income or peace." That was Kenneth Galbraith writing privately to Senator John Kennedy as he campaigned for the Presidency. The issue - the fact that Kennedy was a Roman Catholic. It's hard to believe that 50 years ago this was thought to be an obstacle to a person becoming President of America.
I was in Washington a few weeks ago and heard Democrats and Republicans try to explain the rise and fall in the President's popularity. A common complaint was that in office he's lacked the populist touch. The problem for the President is that in the unbridged distance between the Oval Office and the electorate all sorts of rumours have begun to swirl. So much so that according to one survey nearly a third of Americans believe he's a Muslim. This in spite of his moving testimony about his own Christian faith. If Galbraith were alive and writing confidential memos he might still be saying that a President's religion is one of the big issues in American politics.
One of the striking aspects about America is that although the constitution formally separates church from State religion remains a potent political force. It was largely the new votes of young Catholics and young evangelicals that swept the President into the White House. And when the Congressional results are fully analysed we'll see if it was these youthful voters who deserted him.
Over the last fifty years each American President has worn their faith on their sleeve. Whatever the personal reasons there's no doubting the political expediency even though the constitution states explicitly that no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
By contrast in Britain our politicians are notably coy in talking about their faith. This may partly be to do with the reserve of the British character. Some would say it's because we're not such a spiritual nation. I'm not so sure. It could be because we have a longer take on our past than America. Down the many centuries we've been humbled by our history, those episodes when our leaders Royal or Ecclesiastical or political have enlisted God to their side and to their bloody battles.
It's taught us to be rightly cautious about those who invoke God to endorse their manifestos and rally the troops. We may be too reserved to say this but deep in our bones, formed by generations of struggle, we know that to claim God for your political cause can in the end run the risk of blasphemy.
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