Religion and Public Policy
- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
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Religion and culture inevitably affect our domestic and foreign public policies — but how, how much, and with what result? How does religion affect our national voting patterns? What is the appropriate role for religion in politics? How can “faith-based” organizations assist in providing social services to the disadvantaged and disenfranchised? How is religious fundamentalism affecting the Middle East peace negotiations? These are but a few of the controversial questions that the Baker Institute Religion and Public Policy Program has attempted to answer. Building upon previous research, engaging a myriad of diverse views, and through rigorous and open debate, the Religion and Public Policy Program aims to explore how religion and cultural factors interact with public policy issues, including education, socioeconomics, politics, conflict resolution, and globalization.
Topics of particular current interest and research are: 1) the appropriate relationship between religion and politics in the United States; 2) the ways in which knowledge of religious factors can aid in both domestic and foreign policy; 3) social and political views within evangelical Christianity that are moving beyond a limited focus on such wedge issues as abortion and homosexuality; and 4) increased opposition to Islamic extremism among moderate Muslim thinkers and movements.
- PUBLICATIONS
- 2009
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Creating needle-exchange programs would be the Christian thing to do
Apr 05 2009William Martin
- 2006
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Three Paths to Eden: Christian, Islamic, and Jewish Fundamentalism
May 01 2006William Martin
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Secular State, Religious People - The American Model
Mar 01 2006William Martin
