Congratulations to Luke Bretherton on winning the 2013 Michael Ramsey Prize for Theological Writing for Christianity and Contemporary Politics! Relations between religious and political spheres continue to stir passionate debates on both sides of the Atlantic. Through a combination of theological reflection and empirical case studies; Bretherton succeeds in offering timely and invaluable insights into these crucial issues facing 21st century societies. Explores the relationship between Christianity and contemporary politics through case studies of faith-based organizations; Christian political activism and welfare provision in the West; these case studies assess initiatives including community organizing; fair trade; and the sanctuary movement Offers an insightful; informative account of how Christians can engage politically in a multi-faith; liberal democracy Integrates debates in political theology with inter-disciplinary analysis of policy and practice regarding religious social; political and economic engagement in the USA; UK; and continental Europe Reveals how Christians can help prevent the subversion of the church – and even of politics itself – by legal; bureaucratic; and market mechanisms; rather than advocating withdrawal or assimilation Engages with the intricacies of contemporary politics whilst integrating systematic and historical theological reflection on political and economic life
#996798 in Books James H Madison 2003-02-01 2003-01-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.55 x .49 x 6.70l; .89 #File Name: 1403961212240 pagesA Lynching in the Heartland Race and Memory in America
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Insightful - great history; both local and nationalBy A CustomerLittle was known on this topic before I bought the book - honestly the cover caught my attention first. The author starts out by telling the gripping and true tale of the lynching of 2 black teenagers in a small Indiana town in 1930. I live near this town and never ever heard of anything ever happening like this. History we are ashamed of apparently gets swept under the rug. This book opened my eyes to race-relations in Indiana and in the northern states during the early 20th's century. It really sets the stage for the Civil Rights acts that follow - and it's is wonderful to understand it from such a local perspective.This book is not about "lynching". It is about injustice and mob-mentalities; as well as the history of race-relations in the U.S. - from the perspective of a small midwestern town. A town that many people would consider to be a typical place. The history written is non-fiction; although I wish in many ways it were fiction. I find it difficult to grasp that humans act the ways they do; and the author did a fabulous job of remaining objective and explaining the facts in a sleuth-like manner.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Floods of Emotions....By A CustomerEmotional is an understatment in reading this non-fiction account of a lynching in Marion; Indiana. All kinds of emotions come to mind as I read through it - anger; disbelief; sadness; shame. I think that much of it can be summed up by gazing at the front cover for awhile - the cover photograph is a timeless statement on race-relations in Indiana in the early 20th century.This work reads like a gripping movie-script; a drama and detective story; where you find heroes abound by their courage to speak up against the actions of the mob who lynched 2 teen-agers on a summer night. But unfortunately this work is not fiction; it is true - from the accounts of what happened in the town the night the boys were suspected of killing a white teen and raping his girlfriend on lovers-lane; to the mob-mentality that eventually took the lives of these two boys. I live near the town where it happened; and I wish it weren't true.The author did a superb job getting this early 20th century American history to read like something from one's imagination - he is truly gifted as a historical writer - as the words jump off the page as you read; gripping you; entangling you in the tragedy; and making emotions (ones that you probably don't like to express) - flood through you.5 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Important contribution to the studies of Racism in AmericaBy Grady HarpJames H. Madison has provided us with a book about an incident that no one wants to know about - a bit of ugly history that we would rather not think; much less READ; about. A LYNCHING IN THE HEARTLAND: Race and Memory in America is a brilliant investigation and commentary on the heinous incident on August 7; 1930 in Marion; Indiana. On that quiet night in the quiet heartland of America; far removed from the South with its long-standing history of racial clashes; two African American men were snatched from the jail by white mob frenzy and hung from a tree for the 'dastardly deed' of murder and rape of a white couple. No trial; no conviction; just an acting out of racial hatred; an act captured in the most famous photograph of a lynching in the American context. Madison reports the events factually with a mesmerizingly accurate attention to detail. But the story does not stop there. Madison has researched the history prior to the incident and the subsequent followup that identified brilliant African American leaders and challengers; one of whom was the third man not lynched on that hideous evening in 1930 - James Cameron. Madison then reflects on the whole history of racism in this country; beginning with the equally offensive murders and tortures of the American Indians and extending down to extant incidences up to the time of the publication of this valuable; disturbing book.Madison repeatedly makes the point that if we don't study our history and vividly recall our past then we are doomed to persist in unjust racial crimes. This is a tough book to swallow; but a very important one for all of us to read. Only by exposing ourselves to the ugly events of our history can we hope to learn and prevent such madness from recurring. An eloquent; vital; and impressive contribution.
