Harold F. Bass

Introduction: The Importance of Religion To Understanding the Presidency

Religion is a key, but largely underappreciated factor in the actions of many US presidents. Most of the writings about religion and the presidency focus on the religious beliefs and practices of certain chief executives widely known to have been men of deep faith.

The Importance of Religion to Understanding the Modern Presidency

Religion is a key but largely underappreciated factor in the actions of many US presidents. Most of the writings about religion and the presidency focus on the religious beliefs and practices of certain chief executives widely known to have been men of deep faith. There are substantial works, for example, on the role of religion in the lives and administrations of such modern-era presidents as Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and now Barack H. Obama. Each of these men openly expressed their strong faith commitment as a presidential candidate and, as a result, attracted support from co-religionists as well as attention and commentary from political observers. Once in the White House, each of them continued to integrate their faith and religiousoriented themes in ways that may have seemed for many Americans to be distinctive among presidents.