Acts of Faith?

EVANSTON, Ill. --- As the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination heats up, many candidates are using religion and their personal faith as a way to connect with voters.

Robert Orsi, professor of religion and Grace Craddock Nagle Chair in Catholic Studies at Northwestern University, says the nation’s political arena has gradually moved away from its secular height in the middle 20th century.

“There is no doubt that we are now a post-secular nation. It is acceptable to ask questions about a candidate’s faith in the public sphere,” Orsi says.

In this audio commentary, Orsi discusses religion’s role in the 2012 presidential primaries and faith-based issues facing a variety of candidates.

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