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., in exploring the fascinating intersection of personal faith and our work, family, and political lives.

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.

This series offers a wide perspective on the role of religion in our public life. 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. You will also consider controversial issues such as whether America is actually experiencing a culture war and the possible merits of faith-based initiatives for the provision of public social services.

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. 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.

Learn about downloadable programs.

Your Free Electronic Study Guide! When you order this course, we will send you a free electronic study guide that you can access in 3 convenient ways:

1) You can check your order confirmation email. It will include a link that enables you to download your guide.
2) The back of your program package also contains a copy of this link. You can access your guide by simply entering this URL into your browser.
3) Your case of CDs or DVDs will contain a copy of your electronic guide on CD. Simply insert this disc into your computer’s CD/DVD drive to access your guide.