God and Politics Part 1 (2 hours)
Religion and Politics - the two subjects you’re never supposed to mention at a dinner party. But over the last 50 years in America, our religious values and our political values have started to merge…this union finding its perfect expression in our president, George W. Bush. How did this happen? When did our politicians’ religious beliefs become so important to voters? And how are the politics of faith polarizing America?
In this special, Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, is here to discuss his thoughts on this topic. He is the author of the new book, "The Holy Vote." In this book, Mr. Suarez explains why the United States has not been so polarized - politically and ideologically, since the Civil War. We'll also watch two programs that further explore how religion and politics have intersected in With God on our Side and God in Government.
Eschewing the polemic tone of most current political documentaries, With God on our Side relates its critical history of George W. Bush largely in evangelical conservatives' own words, including intimate interviews with religious broadcaster and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson; Ralph Reed, former Executive Director of the Christian Coalition; and conservative political strategist Paul Weyrich.
The film God in Government is an exploration of the complex relationship between religion and politics in the contemporary world. With the United States as the focal point, and Iran, Israel and India as object lessons, the film asks fundamental questions: What are the consequences when religion and politics become intertwined? What are the fault lines along which tensions and conflicts occur? What is the appropriate relationship between ‘church’ and state in a modern society?
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