The Religion Factor

CNN has an excellent piece on the faith of Barack Obama. The author, John Blake, argues that Obama is a religious pioneer that challenges the dominant frame where a good Christian is equated with a right-wing conservative. According to Blake, Obama brings back the social gospel tradition which was dominant at the start of the 20th century. And his source of inspiration is the Black Church.

With the count down on till the USA votes for its next President, The Religion Factor reflects on the role of religion in this important process. Foreign observers of the 2012 US presidential campaign may be forgiven for being puzzled by the role of religion in American politics.