Democracy & Religion in America: Tocqueville?s surprising linkage

NRO ^ | 10/2/2002 | Michael Novak

[Utah Girl]

Excellent article, there is much to think about.

[VOA]

Bump for Novak, author of "On Two Wings" about the intersection of Christianity and
Judaism as defining forces of the USA.

[bmwcyle]

As we slide into moral the decay of the state decides reality, we lose the real standards given to us by Moses.

[Utah Girl]

"When America ceases to be good, she will cease to be great."

[yendu bwam]

Good article. Very intesting and thought-provoking. Also would note that the US remains one of the most religious countries in the world, while still a democracy, while many others democracies, like Holland, Sweden, France, etc. have let religion cease to influence much their polities. The US is uncharacteristic in this sense - and, I believe, much stronger for it.

[PatrickHenry]

It's been years since I read Tocqueville, but he also said that for democracy to succeed, the people must be moral. (Lots to think about there.) And the most successful vehicle for producing a moral people was religion. (Sort of a utilitarian argument, but certainly powerful.)

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

Good post. Thanks.

[liberallarry]

To the extent that Judeo-Christian religion does what is claimed, I applaud it. However, there are many times and places where it didn't - and also many other paths which lead to moral behavior.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

Great article, thanks for posting it!

De Toqueville and Burke are some of my favorite political philosophers.

Every kid should read at least portions of Democracy in America and Reflections of the Revolution in France.

[FreedominJesusChrist]

Love your screename too.

Patrick Henry was a fiery guy.

[Zack Nguyen]

Amen to this article. An atheist state will slide into tyranny. A theist state will prosper, as long as true Christianity remains the religion of choice in a culture.

[Zack Nguyen]

Christianity always does what it claims. Sometimes Christians don't. That doesn't change the reality of who Christ is - the one true, holy, and perfect God.

[Utah Girl]

Excellent answer.

[txhurl]

Yo! My absolute fave Toke quite.

Are we still good?

[Grig]

BTTT

[nicollo]

This strikes me as waay narrow. We'll see.

*bump* for later study.

[rising tide]

Great post Utah Girl! Alexis de Tocqueville was amazing, What foresight and wisdom he had. Michael Novak is no slouch either. I love NR online. I especialy enjoy Jonah Goldberg's humorious and insightfull writing.

[Tancred]

Thanks for posting.

[nicollo]

*bumping* de Tocqueville tonight