Radio 4 Nov 1st

Sorry about the gap:
Been a bit busy!

TFTD
Saturday 1st November 2008: Rob Marshall

Good Morning
It's pretty certain that American churches will be offering prayers during this weekend of All Saints and All Souls for a right result in next week's Presidential election.

After a decade away, I've just returned from my first visit to the United States. Watching the election campaign on the domestic media gives you an altogether different insight into the hopes and expectations of the nation.

The wall to wall coverage of Obama and McCain reveals a serious, profoundly concerned electorate, reflecting many different cultures and issues.

What I noticed most of all, on all sides of the political spectrum, is a strong desire to move on. It’s almost tangible. The economic downturn is, of course, harshly felt. But the perception that America is no longer loved abroad as, perhaps, it once was - clearly affects the national psyche.

The importance, for better or worse, of religion in American national life continues to attract analysis and debate.

Jason Bivins, in his recently published book Religion of Fear, suggests that Americans are preoccupied with the role of religion in public life and argues that the religious right has transformed American politics and culture. Whilst in New York theological reflection on domestic issues was never far from lively conversations after church.

I’ve always personally found going to church in America very different to going to church in Britain. Generally speaking, there seems to be a greater level of commitment to Church as a way of life by a much larger proportion of the population.

The Bible, as a textbook for living, is often and easily quoted with a disconcerting kind of confidence. And even if that’s off putting for some of us, you can't knock the way they put faith into action - because they take the Gospel message very seriously and they get out and help others. A lot of social activity and adult education is offered by many different churches. They’re also huge providers of social care and health provision to the very poor.

Since September 11th we all know that the world has become an increasingly tense, distrusting, polarized and somewhat more aggressive place to live. Many ethnic groups feel vulnerable and victimized. Faith boundaries have become more defensive and, therefore, insecure.

Religion has been an integral, almost organic, part of this campaign so far, rather than a campaigning platform for either of the candidates.

But whichever of them is victorious next week – they have an enormous job to do to unite Americans of all faiths and none, and to make the most of what is good about religion in America.