The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America [Hardcover]

David Domke (Author), Kevin Coe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 2007

This volume offers a timely and dynamic study of the rise of religion in American politics, examining the public messages of political leaders over the past seventy-five years. The authors show that U.S. politics today is defined by a calculated, deliberate, and partisan use of faith that is unprecedented in modern politics. Beginning with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, America has seen a no-holds-barred religious politics that seeks to attract voters, identify and attack enemies, and solidify power. Domke and Coe identify a set of religious signals sent by both Republicans and Democrats in speeches, party platforms, proclamations, visits to audiences of faith, and even celebrations of Christmas. The updated edition of this ground-breaking book includes a new preface, an updated analysis of the last Bush administration, as well as a new final chapter on the Jeremiah Wright controversy, the candidacies of Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin, and Barack Obama's victory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you can read only one book on American politics and religion, this should be the one."--Southern Communication Journal

"The God Strategy is a sobering look at just how deeply imbedded religion has become in the contemporary American political psyche. Both the person of faith and the non-believer should fear what is revealed in this carefully crafted review of modern campaign strategies to 'get the God vote'. Domke and Coe demonstrate, with stunningly clear examples, just how the union of government and religion tends to degrade the integrity of both." --Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State

"Religion has become central to American politics. The God Strategy is a superb overview of what happened and how it has impacted our democracy. David Domke and Kevin Coe have done the nation a service." --George Lakoff, author of Don't Think of an Elephant!

"Domke and Coe have done a masterful job of giving us insight into the mix of religion and politics. The God Strategy taught me much about a field I thought I knew. Anyone who wants to understand how the deeply religious character of America could be used to effect coming elections needs to read this book." --Joel Hunter, Pastor and Member, Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals

"The God Strategy offers an intriguing look at what has become one of the most powerful shaping forces in American political life. Like it or not, religion has for years been establishing the parameters of public debate. As Domke and Coe make clear, this is unlikely to change anytime soon." --Ron Reagan

"The God Strategy tells the intriguing story of how God-talk has functioned in American political life in recent decades. Domke and Coe invite both Democrats and Republicans to take the planks out of their own eyes before casting the first stone. This book could become a voter's bible, helping citizens (and media pundits) evaluate election-cycle rhetoric with critical scrutiny." --Brian McLaren, Pastor and author of A New Kind of Christian and The Secret Message of Jesus

"...provides a valuable service and highlights an important change in U.S. politics."--Communication Research Trends

"Filled with plenty of political anecdotes to satisfy the most political junkies"--Religion

"The God Strategy is a must read for anyone hoping to understand the role of religion in the upcoming election."--Journal of Church and State

About the Author

David Domke is Professor of Communication at the University of Washington and the author of God Willing: Political Fundamentalism in the White House, the War on Terror, and the Echoing Press. Kevin Coe is Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Arizona.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Updated Edition edition (December 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195326415
• ISBN-13: 978-0195326413
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Using God -Oh My, November 9, 2007

By 

Jim Caswell (Bakersfield, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America (Hardcover)

If you read David Domke's last book, "God Willing", (a must read for every
one) which exposed the myth of a Free and Independent Press during the
current Bush administration following 9/11, and the calculated steps taken
by Bush and his staff to craft a framework to grow support for the president's
policies and his growing reliance on the ideology of Political Fundamentalism, then you will really enjoy this new book. You will also come to understand how politicians, thru a strategic communication approach grounded in a conservative religious worldview, "The "God Strategy" were able to achieve the two tasks listed above.



This new book traces the growth of the God Strategy in American politics
from the days of President Franklin Roosevelt to the current George Bush and
how both the Republicans and the Democrats have embraced the joining of
religion and politics. Domke and co-author, Kevin Coe lay out in great detail how politics
and religion came together and how both sides, to push agendas and win
elections with results that often threaten the very foundations of American
Democracy, have used this wedding



In reading the" God Strategy" I have come to understand some of the how's,
why's, and so what's involved in the rise of religion in American politics. I
am surely more aware of the subtleties used by both sides in their efforts
to shape a new America. I am even more aware of the misguided and often
angry methods used by the followers of the God Strategy in achieving their
end results and of the price America as a nation might be called on to pay
for those methods

Thanks Domke and Coe for this interesting, insightful and well-researched view of religion in America politics.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Religion and Politics through a New Lens, January 15, 2008

By 

Ty A. Edwards (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America (Hardcover)

"The God Strategy" is a well-written, meticulously researched, and eye-opening examination of how U.S. politicians (particularly our four most recent presidents) use religion to win votes. It's also a genuinely interesting read. If you're at all curious about just how influential religion has become in today's political arena, you need to read this book. David Domke and Kevin Coe provide clear and varied examples that show how campaigns have increasingly capitalized on the use of religious messages (the God strategy) to get their candidates elected. Once you have read this book you will view the current presidential campaign in a whole new light; I have been amazed at how many times in the past couple months I've noticed politicians using this strategy in political ads or during debates. It is as if the authors predicted exactly what is now occurring. Clearly, this is a testament to the strength of the research that informs this book. "The God Strategy" should be a part of every thinking person's library.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely Book, January 17, 2008

By 

Carol A. White (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America (Hardcover)

Absolutely brilliant, absolutely fascinating, absolutely timely,and absolutely of great importance. This is an excellent and extremely informative book for those participating in the upcoming elections. After having read The God Stragegy, the reader will be able to listen to the candidates with a more informed ear and will be able to make more informed choices on their ballots. David Domke and Kevin Coe have done their homework in researching this book. Their ideas aren't just off the tops of their heads; they can back up every statement they make, and do so. The God Strategy is definitely a book for both readers of faith and non-believers alike. For those with religious beliefs who might tend to shy away from the title alone, David Domke is a self-professed Christian. The God Strategy is a must read for those who are concernced about making America a strong and compassionate country.
By Carol White, Tacoma, Washington