Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith
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Date
2013-02-15
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Mershon Center for International Security Studies
Abstract
From the first colonists to the presidents of the 21st century, religion has always shaped America's relationships with other nations. During the presidency of George W. Bush, many Americans and others around the world viewed the entrance of religion into foreign policy discourse, especially with regard to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as a new development.
Despite the official division between church and state, the presence of religion in American foreign policy has been a constant. Yet aside from leaders known to be personally religious, such as Bush, Jimmy Carter and Woodrow Wilson, few realize how central faith has always been to American governance and diplomacy–and indeed to the idea of America itself.
Based on his recent book, Sword of the Spirit, Shield of Faith, Preston's lecture will trace in broad outline the historical relationship between religion and American foreign relations, and use two case studies by way of example.
Description
The Ohio State University Mershon Center for International Security Studies
Keywords
Religion, American History