Religion and politics mix goes back to Revolution

TRAVIS LOLLER - Associated Press (AP)
Posted November 3, 2011 at 2:46 p.m., updated November 3, 2011 at 3:54 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — If there seems to be a lot of religion in politics this electoral season, at least it has a long history.

Vanderbilt University's James Byrd, an assistant professor of American religious history, says the American Revolution was fueled by a new rhetorical style that came straight from the revivals of the first Great Awakening.

In a Thursday lecture at the Divinity School, Byrd talked about the influence of colonial-era preachers like George Whitefield, who inspired thousands with his showman-like presentations in fields and public squares.

"It was said he could reduce an audience to tears simply by pronouncing the word 'Mesopotamia,'" Byrd said.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/nov/03/religion-and-politics-mix-goes-back-to/

Mesopotamia?

Polysyllabic words might reduce them to tears.

the nonreligion ideas of the enlightenment.

Don't bring facts like that into the discussion--it isn't nice.

It's simplistic for any party to claim it exclusively.