Customer Reviews

Religion in American Politics: A Short History

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"Religion in American Politics" is a well-written and educating history of the arguments over the role of religion in the politics of the United States. The book is tightly written and strays little from its chosen pathway and the chapters can be comfortably read is a single sitting. Thus, one can move through the lessons, era by era and develop a comprehensive picture of our constant discussions over the role of religion in the political life the United States. Three important points stand out: (1) the book documents the fact that the arguments over the place of religion have been with us since the colonization of Americas and likely will remain with us, (2) the impact of religion has risen and fallen through the years, and (3) secularism or the religious left may have great difficulty in providing a strong alternative to the religious right, as their constituents do not share common ground. A thought-provoking trip through the history of the United States.

This is a very good source to answer questions about the role religion plays in U.S. Politics.

How can a book about religion and politics only have one short reference about Quakers? No story about how Quakers controlled Pennsylvania and how they all had to quit. No reference to the Friends Committee on National Legislation, which lobbies on Quakers concerns about peace, social justice and prison reform? Only one small reference? And based on the index nothing about pacifism? What kind of book is this?