Religion and the Obligations of Citizenship [Paperback]

Studies the validity of religious reasons as a basis for citizens' votes and political positions.This book takes issue with those who would seek to place restrictions on the participation of religious organizations in politics, arguing that their position underestimates the benefits, and overestimates the costs, of having religiously motivated citizens participate in this way. It will appeal to readers in philosophy and politics.This book takes issue with those who would seek to place restrictions on the participation of religious organizations in politics, arguing that their position underestimates the benefits, and overestimates the costs, of having religiously motivated citizens participate in this way. It will appeal to readers in philosophy and politics.This book takes issue with those who would seek to place restrictions on the participation of religious organizations in politics, arguing that their position underestimates the benefits, and overestimates the costs, of having religiously motivated citizens participate in this way. It will appeal to readers in philosophy and politics.Preface and acknowledgement; 1. Introduction; 2. Participation, full participation and realized citizenship; 3. Religion's role in promoting democracy; 4. Public argument; 5. The principles; 6. Robert Audi on secular reasons; 7. John Rawls on public reasons; Conclusion; Select bibliography. With Religion and the Obligations of Citizenship, Paul Weithman makes an important contribution to democratic theory. Written with philosophical precision and rigor but also informed by empirical work in the social sciences, this wide-ranging book argues that religious groups in America make valuable contributions to democracy by helping their members develop political skills. On this basis Weithman then criticizes the dominant tradition in liberal political philosophy that holds that religious citizens should seldom bring their religious views into the public square. Weithman puts the pro-religil#t