pollutionchurch. After the Reformation, the state controls the church, a position
that dates to the work of a Swiss theologian named Thomas Erastus and
called Erastianism after its author.
Other religious traditions develop their own responses to the political
realm with Islam advocating a total way of life combining the secular and
the religious under one God, although not all Muslim thinkers advocate
a theocracy and view the origins of politics from within the community
instead of a divine source. In contrast to Islam, Buddhism teaches the
importance of renouncing the world and politics, but the monastic com-
munity becomes dependent upon the political realm for its survival, and
political rulers receive their legitimacy by their generosity to, and protec-
tion of, the monastic community. In Asia and other areas over time, reli-
gious processions with their royal ceremonial symbolism assume political
significance because kings use these events to demonstrate publicly
territorial ownership and control.
During the contemporary era, politics plays an essential role in devel-
opments such as black theology, feminist theology, and liberation theol-
ogy. They all share a desire for freedom from bias, prejudice,
discrimination, and political bondage. In contrast to these liberal forces,
conservative religious forces with roots in Pentecostalism in America
support the right wing of the Republican Party to push its agenda of oppo-
sition to abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage, and support of prayer in
public schools. Suppression of religion can be witnessed in Communist
countries, such as Russia, Albania, China, Cambodia, and Cuba; while in
America, there have been slow growths of what have been called the
“civil religion,” a synthesis of Christian religious symbols and themes
with the history and identity of the nation. These modern examples point
to the continued intimate relationship between religion and politics.Further reading: Asad (1993); Bellah (1970); Chidster (1988); R. King (1999);
Lincoln (1991, 2003); McCutcheon (1997); Wasserstrom (1999)POLLUTION
Pollution suggests being in a wrong condition with respect to others,
social norms, and cultural mores. Pollution also means to be defiled,
sullied, or dirty. It is possible to become polluted by personal actions,
coming into contact with a defiled person, or having contact with a dirty
substance, such as some form of bodily waste product. In order to correct
or overcome one’s polluted condition, it is necessary to practice some