by
Buruma, Ian.
Call Number
322.109 22
Publication Date
2010
Summary
"For eight years the president of the United States was a born-again Christian, backed by well-organized evangelicals who often seemed intent on erasing the church-state divide. In Europe, the increasing number of radicalized Muslims is creating widespread fear that Islam is undermining Western-style liberal democracy. And even in polytheistic Asia, the development of democracy has been hindered in some countries, particularly China, by a long history in which religion was tightly linked to the state. Ian Buruma is the first writer to provide a sharpeyed look at the tensions between religion and politics on three continents. Drawing on many contemporary and historical examples, he argues that the violent passions inspired by religion must be tamed in order to make democracy work. Comparing the United States and Europe, Buruma asks why so many Americans - and so few Europeans - see religion as a help to democracy. Turning to China and Japan, he disputes the notion that only monotheistic religions pose problems for secular politics. Finally, he reconsiders the story of radical Islam in contemporary Europe, from the case of Salman Rushdie to the murder of Theo van Gogh. Sparing no one, Buruma exposes the follies of the current culture war between defenders of 'Western values' and 'multiculturalists, ' and explains that the creation of a democratic European Islam is not only possible, but necessary. Presenting a challenge to dogmatic believers and dogmatic secularists alike, Taming the Gods powerfully argues that religion and democracy can be compatible--but only if religious and secular authorities are kept firmly apart"--Provided by publisher.
Format:
Electronic Resources
Relevance:
0.0586
by
Wolfe, Alan, 1942-
Call Number
322.10973 22
Publication Date
2010
Summary
The United States remains a deeply religious country and religion plays an inextricably critical role in American politics. Controversy over issues such as abortion is fueled by opposition in the Catholic Church and among conservative Protestants, candidates for the presidency are questioned about their religious beliefs, and the separation of church and state remains hotly contested. While the examination of religion's influence in politics has long been neglected, in the last decade the subject has finally garnered the attention it deserves. In Religion and Democracy in the United States, prominent scholars consider the ways Americans understand the relationship between their religious beliefs and the political arena. --From publisher's description.
Format:
Electronic Resources
Relevance:
0.0520
View Other Search Results
by
Jones, Robert P. (Robert Patrick)
Call Number
201.70973 22
Publication Date
2008
Summary
This volume tells the story of the emerging progressive religious movement (an exclusive claim on faith and values from the right and a radical divorce of faith from politics on the left) in America through an analysis of over 80 in-depth interviews with contemporary religious leaders including nationally known figures such as Rabbis David Saperstein and Michael Lerner, Revs. Jim Wallis and Brian McLaren, Feisal Abdul Rauf, Eboo Patel, Kecia Ali, Lama Surya Das, Robert Thurman, and E.J. Dionne. The author explains how progressive religious leaders are tapping the deep connections between religion and social justice to work on issues like poverty and workers' rights, the environment, health care, pluralism, and human rights.
Format:
Electronic Resources
Relevance:
0.0458
Limit Search Results
Narrowed by: