Quaker Universalist Conversations

Max Carter on the role of religion in Egyptian and American politics


Max Carter, director of Friends Center, Guilford College, and a recorded Friends minister, serves on the Board of the American Friends Service Committee and the Advisory Board of the Earlham School of Religion. He also writes a religion column for the Washington Post.   

In this column he addresses the role of religion in politics—how religious values should inform those who seek democratic reform and a society that abides by “G-d’ standards,” universal principles of justice, toleration, and mercy.



Americans, Egyptians want ‘G-d’s standards’ in government


Mike Huckabee, the conservative former Arkansas governor, this weekend said that he is concerned about Islam’s role in Egypt’s future.  As On Faith panelist Reza Aslan this week noted, Huckabee has also called for Americans to “take this nation back for Christ“ and, while running for president in 2008, declared that “what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards.”

In America and in Egypt, should a majority religion inspire political life? How will Islam play a role in the struggles for democracy happening now in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world?

For Max Carter’s response to this question, see:

http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/max_carter/2011/02/americans_egyptians_want_g-ds_standards_in_government.html

What is your response? Or to use the old Quaker line, “what cants thou say?”

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