To What Extent Are Religious Political Actors Constrained by Political Neutrality?

This article examines doctrinal debates about neutrality to assess how religious actors navigate political advocacy in pluralist democracies.
James Kennon Rice
Under Review at Political Theology
2025-02-01

The manuscript maps the legal and theological arguments that guide religious leaders when they intervene in public discourse. By tracing judicial decisions, theological commentaries, and comparative case studies, I evaluate how neutrality requirements shape faith-based advocacy on policy questions such as climate action and social welfare. The analysis clarifies the boundaries of religious participation in the public square while advancing a constructive account of political theology for diverse societies.

Citation

Rice, James Kennon. (2025). “To What Extent Are Religious Political Actors Constrained by Political Neutrality?” Under Review at Political Theology.