Title: Religion and the obligations of citizenship /
Authors: Weithman, Paul J., 1959-
Publisher: Cambridge University Press,
Year: 2002
Subjects: Religion and politics; Citizenship Moral and ethical aspects.; Citizenship Religious aspects
Abstract: "In Religion and the Obligations of Citizenship, Paul J. Weithman asks whether citizens in a liberal democracy may base their votes and their public political arguments on their religious beliefs. Drawing on empirical studies of how religion actually functions in politics, he challenges the standard view that citizens who rely on religious reasons must be prepared to make good their arguments by appealing to reasons that are "accessible" to others. He contends that churches contribute to democracy by enriching political debate and by facilitating political participation, especially among the poor and minorities, and as a consequence, citizens acquire religiously based political views and diverse views of their own citizenship.
Contents: 1. Participation, full participation and realized citizenship -- 2. Religion's role in promoting democracy -- 3. Conceptions of the deomcratic citizen -- 4. Public argument -- 5. Principles -- 6. Robert Audi on secular reasons -- 7. John Rawls on public reason.