Religion and Politics in US History

Religion has long been a staple of American politics. At the national level presidents and candidates for the highest office have continually evoked religious themes, whether addressing foreign policy, social, economic, and social issues, or their own convictions. This resource page assembles key statements by US presidents over time and provides an overview of three key themes: values issues (such as abortion), foreign policy, and Islam. It also includes position statements about religion from the platforms of the Democratic Party and Republican Party.