George W. Bush had planned to swear his oath of office with his hand on the Masonic Bible used by both his father and George Washington, however, due to the inclement weather, a family Bible was substituted. Almost immediately on taking office, President Bush made passage of "faith-based initiatives"--the government funding of religious charitable groups--a legislative priority. However, "inclement" weather storm-tossed his hopes for faith-based initiatives as well.
What happened? Why did these initiatives, which began with such vigor and support from a popular president, fail? And...
George W. Bush had planned to swear his oath of office with his hand on the Masonic Bible used by both his father and George Washington, however, d...
"Most debates about the place of religion in politics ultimately boil down to the question of whether religious values can improve the quality of civil society. Asking such a question poses a daunting challenge, but armed with an impressive array of survey data, this team of authors is more than up to the task. Rich, complex, and relevant, this book will be of interest to all who wonder whether religion's role in public life actually makes a difference in the world." Laura R. Olson, professor of political science, Clemson University "Pews, Prayers, and Participation is a comprehensive,...
"Most debates about the place of religion in politics ultimately boil down to the question of whether religious values can improve the quality of civi...
Is the "private" experience of religion counterproductive to engagement in public life? Does the "public" experience of religion contribute anything distinctive to civic engagement? Pews, Prayers, and Participation offers a fresh approach to key questions about what role religion plays in fostering civic responsibility in contemporary American society. Written by five prominent scholars of religion and politics, led by Calvin College's Corwin Smidt, the book brilliantly articulates how religion shapes participation in a range of civic activities--from behaviors (such as membership...
Is the "private" experience of religion counterproductive to engagement in public life? Does the "public" experience of religion contribute anythin...
