Date
Summer 2022
Type of Culminating Activity
Student research paper
Abstract
In 2022, the state of America is highly debated. Are we united? Are we divided? What unites us despite our differences? There have been times of great tribulation in American history, just as there have been times of great unity. Many Americans remember the day after the 9/11 attacks as a day to set our differences aside and help one another. At the beginning of the COVID-19 nationwide lock down there was celebration of healthcare workers and campaigns to help your neighbors out with groceries. During times of tremendous worry and pain, Americans come together through their differences and work together. So why have the following two years of post-COVID-shutdown America been back to turmoil and strife between even family and friends? There are some concerning pendulum swings over these past few years, not the least of which is a seeming growth or expansion of influence of far more radical ideologies on both sides of the American Political Spectrum. Has a semi-recent shift towards religious influence in politics caused the uptick in polarization? Or, perhaps, has the alignment of voters overtaken their faith as identifying factors? Through all of this turmoil in 2022, is it possible to avoid the severance of households and friends as happened in the Civil War? And if it is possible, how can we hope to have civil discussions with those in agreement and those antagonistic towards our beliefs? I strive to answer some of these questions, through examination of the political climate of today as well as the past, and by dissecting some of the religious effects on politics in America.
Degree Program
Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies
Mentors
Jon Schneider