Apr 21, 2020
In America religion and politics are inextricably linked, despite what the US Constitution might say. Using The Most Hated Family in America (2007) by Louis Theroux and its sequel, America’s Most Hated Family in Crisis (2011), Factual America explores the history of religion in US politics.
Not only does religion polarise American society, but it also played a big role in determining the winner of the 2016 US presidential election. Will the same be true in 2020?
Emma Long, Senior Lecturer in American Studies at the University of East Anglia, joins the podcast to discuss the ways religion looms large in US politics. To help illustrate her points, Emma utilises Theroux’s films, which focus on the controversial Westboro Baptist Church.
While nothing short of shocking, Theroux’s documentaries shine a bright light on belief in America and quintessentially American views of free speech. The films show firsthand Westboro’s protests at the funerals of American military service personnel.
Are there limits to what can be considered offensive? Or is anything fair game when it comes to free speech and 1st Amendment rights?
Explaining how religion continues to affect American politics to this day, Emma enlightens us with her research and expertise…
“The US apparently has a separation of church and state, and yet every time you look at American politics religion is there.” – Emma Long