ABSTRACT
Given the criticism of the religionists, it is remarkable how much Morgenthau has written on religion. Morgenthau was aware of the presence of religion at different levels, but he did not ascribe much relevance to it. Morgenthau seems to be fond of the kind of religiosity that President Lincoln embodied. The religionists are right that Morgenthau holds certain Westphalian assumptions, but he also clearly states that these assumptions depend on time and place. In some cases, such as the influence of the Enlightenment and modernization and secularization theory, positivism, and materialism, Morgenthau is stating almost the opposite of what religionists think he is stating. In many cases, the overall picture is much more nuanced than the religionists think. For example, the religionists are right that Morgenthau often emphasizes the ideological function of religion. However, Morgenthau clearly distinguishes between religion and its degradation and ideologization. An important reason for Morgenthau to be cautious about the role of religion is because he wants to prevent religion from playing an improper, ideological role.
