Synopses & Reviews
"'Public religion' is not a top-down, worked-out, authoritative concept. It is the result of the very complex strivings and questionings of a couple of hundred million citizens. How it is realized in contemporary life depAnds on the quality of the questioning, the clarity of people's expression, and the seriousness of their resolve as individual citizens."—from Politics, Religion, and the Common Good Religion has always been part of American public debate. The values in which our culture is entrenched have been, since their inception, created and shaped directly from a religious moral sensibility. Unfortunately, too many of us cede our voices without realizing the implications of silence. It's the need for each individual's voice that lies at the heart of this groundbreaking investigation into religion's role in the political arena; Martin Marty, acclaimed scholar and frequent commentator on American religion, encourages each person to speak out —to engage in thoughtful, productive dialogue, and to take stands that are morally based. He skillfully interweaves decades of his own insights with conversations with both lay people and nationally recognized experts in various fields, creating a robust and complex look at the problems and, ultimately, the potential for religion's future in the public sphere. This landmark work is the first of a two-volume set that will explore the promise and challenge of public religion. These works are intAnded not as the last word on the subject; rather, the author hopes to initiate a national conversation-providing a guided tour of public religion in America, even-handedly exploring the role religion has played, is playing, and could play in our life together as a nation. BACK FLAP: [head] What is Religion's Proper Role in Our Shared Life? The future of America, in many ways, depends upon an understanding of the proper role of religion in our shared life as a republic. Discussions and debates on the topic have too
Review
"Who better than Martin Marty, ultimate analyzer of American religion, to help us all sort out the confusion around politics and religion?" (James M. Dunn, professor of Christianity and public policy, Wake Forest Divinity School)
Synopsis
In this insightful book, Marty covers a wealth of vital issues about the state of the politics and religion, including: the case often made against public religion; how public religion affects the common good; the ways in which the individual citizen is formed by faith; the declining political power of traditional institutions; the flourishing of religious special interest groups; and how to move questions of public religion from argument to conversation.
Synopsis
The future of America, in many ways, depends upon an understanding of the proper role of religion in our shared life as a republic. Discussions and debates on the topic have too often generated noise, platitudes, stereotypes, name-calling, and the distortion of vitally important issues, instead of constructive conversation among citizens--until now.
Of all the voices commenting about American religion today, none is more credible or better known than that of historian Martin E. Marty. A respected scholar, author, editor, and media commentator, he has-perhaps better than anyone else in the field-a deep grasp on the complex issues surrounding public religion.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-170) and index.
About the Author
MARTIN E. MARTY is the author of more than fifty books, including the five-volume The Fundamentalisms Project and the three-volume Modern American Religion. He is professor emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he received his Ph.D. and taught for thirty-five years. An ordained minister, he is senior editor of the weekly Christian Century, a frequent media commentator on American religion, and the recipient of sixty-four honorary degrees.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Introduction: Tools for Moving from Argument to Conversation.
1. Handle with Care: The Case Against Public Religion.
2. Worth the Risk: Public Religion and the Common Good.
3. The Individual Citizen, Formed and Mobilized by Faith.
4. The Declining Political Power of Traditional Institutions.
5. The Flourishing of Religious Special Interest Groups.
6. An Invitation to All Religious People: Join the Political Conversation.
Notes.
References.
The Author.
About the Public Religion Project.
Index.