Dear reader,
During our round table on November 26th, we’d like to dive into the US elections. Specifically, we’ll discuss the role of religion in these elections, and the effect on Europe.
In this personal content hub, you’ll find various articles to provide some background on the topic. This hub also contains the agenda, instructions on how to join the round table, and the key questions we’d like to discuss. I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Best regards,
Matthias Smalbrugge
Welcome!
Foreword by Matthias Smalbrugge
Religion has played a significant role in the US elections. Matthias Smalbrugge reflects on these dynamics in his introduction.
The role of Catholicism in the 2020 election
Joe Biden was the first Catholic vice president in US history. However, a lot has changed since the election of the first and only Catholic president, President John F. Kennedy. What does this mean for the presidential hopeful and what role will the US Catholic population play?
Trump and the evangelical voting bloc
A Pew Research report estimated that 82% of white evangelicals will vote for Trump over Biden. Three main pragmatic actions of Trump’s administration had a strong impact on evangelicals’ support: the relocation of the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; the pro-life and abortion issue; and the LGBTQ issue.
Partisan polarisation in the US and religion in Europe
How the story of the US’s partisan polarisation turns during the US election is being observed and followed closely by Europeans, including those engaged in Europe’s religious life. The mobilisation of partisan politics within Europe and humane action against human-driven climate change are only one of many stakes that depend on what will happen on the 3rd of November, 2020.
The rise of militant Christianity in the United States
The evangelical alt-right rhetoric has Puritan and Protestant religious foundations, based on the ideas of Protestant predestination and Puritan settlers ideology. Today, alt-right Christianity hinges on protectionist identity politics, that is, at the protection of “American” and “Christian” culture from outside threats. Nevertheless, religion in America must not only be a source of radicalisation but rather can also be a source of unity and dialogue.
Questions for discussion
Based on the background articles above, we'd like to discuss three questions with you during our virtual round table.
Attendees
Who will be attending?
Matthias Smalbrugge
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Professor of European Culture and Christianity
James Kennedy
University College Utrecht
Professor of Modern Dutch History
Christophe Chalamet
Université de Genève
Professor in Systematic Theology
Rolf Schieder
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Professor emeritus of Practical Theology and Religious Education
Aron Engberg
Lund University
Researcher at Church and Mission Studies
Jan de Volder
KU Leuven
Professor of Religion, Conflict and Peace
Reiner Anselm
Evangelical Theological Faculty München
Professor of Ethical Theology
