In the book called “Who Are We?”, where the American political scientist Samuel Huntington tries to identify the main features of the American identity, there are sections related to the relationship between religion and politics. In particular, the author notes that the religious theme played a crucial role in the 2000 presidential elections.
In 1998, 49 percent of Americans said morality was declining, and 58 percent said moral issues were more important than economic ones. Just after the 2000 election, 69 percent said religion strengthened family values, and 70 percent said they wanted faith to enhance its influence on the American way of life. The issue of combating abortions was very acute, and the issue of restoring common prayers in schools was also discussed. On these two points, the Republicans were naturally more active than the Democrats. But in the mentioned elections, both leading candidates spoke publicly about their Christian orientation.
George W. Bush, answering who he thinks is the most significant political philosopher, said, “Christ. He made me look at the world differently.” And Albert Gore finished one of his speeches: “Man’s calling is to glorify the Lord. My faith serves me as a pillar.”
In my belief, no one will dispute the fact that the USA is a secular country and that the fundamental principle of freedom of conscience is respected in that country. But it is no coincidence that even in such a country, a significant part of the population relies on religion, and politicians respond to that demand.
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Many people will not agree with me, but Christianity is also essential to our-Armenian identity. It’s just that it manifests itself in different ways in different periods, primarily due to the political elite’s attitude. Today’s government of Armenia entered into a sharp conflict with the Armenian Apostolic Church, accusing, in particular, its servants of carrying out political activities. I do not consider that conflict to be accidental. At the basis of this is the government’s desire to direct society to the path of hedonism, “living in peace,” not thinking about any mission.
It can be countered to this record that the previous government did not enter into such a conflict but professed purely materialistic values in practice. That is undoubtedly true. But if the “past” were hypocritical, and the “current” are openly godless, it still does not mean that the models of “state-society-religion” relations are only these two. The time will come for real Christian-conservative projects. But about that, another time.
Before that, it is necessary to answer the question posed by Huntington: who are we?
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
