Political leaders often use religion to justify their decisions, stating that they have prayed for guidance in deciding what to do. This informal relationship between religion and the state has been referred to as __________.

Question

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Civil religion is the concept of a set of beliefs, symbols, and rituals that exist alongside and in support of a society's political system. It is a way for political leaders to use religion to legitimize their actions and gain the support of the public. This term was first introduced by sociologist Robert Bellah in 1967. The other options, "the spiritualization of politics," "political religion," and "affirmational politics," do not accurately describe this phenomenon.

Political Leaders Often Use Religion to Justify Their Decisions, Stating