Politics and Religion: A Catholic’s Guide to Faith and Public Life

What is the relationship between our faith and public life? Join top moral theologian and award-winning professor Thomas Massaro, S.J., Dean of the Jesuit School of Theology in California, in exploring the fascinating intersection of personal faith and our work, family, and political lives. This series offers a wide perspective on the role of religion in our public life.

Historical Foundations and Reform

Most of the Founding Fathers seemed to assume that private religiosity could be sealed off neatly from the institutions and affairs of state, but history has demonstrated otherwise. Many of the crucial reforms our nation has undergone, from the abolition of slavery to the achievement of civil rights for all, have been inspired by religious sentiment and activism.

Core Areas of Examination

You will examine the challenge of secularization, the workings of civil society, and the pattern of thought called civil religion. You’ll explore precisely how religious voices make themselves heard in the public arena. Furthermore, the course covers several key themes:

  • Public Theology: Understanding the complex relationships among theology, American culture, and government.
  • Civil Religion: Investigating patterns of thought in the public sphere.
  • Faith-Based Initiatives: Evaluating the possible merits of these initiatives for the provision of public social services.
  • The Common Good: Emphasizing a philosophy of government that prioritizes collective well-being.

Contemporary Challenges and Engagement

You will also consider controversial issues such as whether America is actually experiencing a culture war. By surveying the major features of the church-state landscape today, you will assess the potential for constructive engagement of faith and public life in the years ahead.

You will come away with an appreciation of the complex relationships among public theology, American culture, and a philosophy of government that emphasizes the pursuit of the common good.

Course Resources

When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide. You can access your guide by check your order confirmation email, using the URL on your program package, or via the CD/DVD included in your case.