If there is a "culture war" taking place in the United States; one of the most interesting; if under-the-radar; battlegrounds is in local school board elections. Rarely does the pitch of this battle reach national attention; as it did in Kansas when the state school board―led by several outspoken conservative Christians―voted to delete evolution from the state's science curriculum and its standardized tests in August 1999. That action rattled not only the educational and scientific communities; but concerned citizens around the nation as well.While the movement of the Christian Right into national and state politics has been well documented; this is the first book to examine their impact on local school board politics. While the Kansas decision was short-lived; during the past decade in school districts around the country; conservative Christian majorities have voted to place limits on sex education; to restrict library books; to remove references to gays and lesbians in the classroom; and to promote American culture as superior to other cultures. School Board Battles studies the motivation; strategies; and electoral success of Christian Right school board candidates. Based on interviews; and using an extensive national survey of candidates as well as case studies of two school districts in which conservative Christians ran and served on local boards; Melissa M. Deckman gives us a surprisingly complex picture of these candidates. She reveals weaker ties to national Christian Right organizations―and more similarities between these conservative candidates and their more secular counterparts than might be expected.Deckman examines important questions: Why do conservative Christians run for school boards? How much influence has the Christian Right actually had on school boards? How do conservative Christians govern? School Board Battles is an in-depth and in-the-trenches look at an important encounter in the "culture war"―one that may well determine the future of our nation's youth.
#1229449 in Books Ignatius Press 2008-10-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.26 x 1.14 x 6.30l; 1.33 #File Name: 1586171909260 pages
Review
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Best Benedict BiographyBy Robert D. BellamyThree and a half years into Pope Benedict XVI's reign as the Vicar of Christ; this is exactly the type of biography that should be coming out. After the flurry of hastily prepared books (some quality; some not); Seewald gives us a thoughtful; in-depth portrait of the pontiff. Seewald; of course; was the impetus behind Salt of the Earth and God of the World; two important books written in conjunction with the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. This book offers a glimpse into the process of Seewald's introduction into the world of Ratzinger and his subsequent reconversion back into the Church. Seewald tells of his commission in 1993 to write an article on the oft-mistunderstood "Panzerkardinal" and in what I think is the most interesting part of this book; recounts some of the interviews he conducted in preparation for that story. Interviewees include those supportive of the Cardinal (including his own brother; Georg) and those who resent the Cardinal (like Hans Küng). In his interviews; Seewald says that he came away with a dual view of the Cardinal. Eventually; Seewald gets to interview Cardinal Ratzinger himself for the two books; and he recounts the travails involved in this process. In addition; Seewald credits Ratzinger for his move from an atheist-Communist-apostate to reentry into full communion with the Church. In this sense; it is as much Seewald's story as it is Ratzinger/Pope Benedict's; but God as he works through Pope Benedict exists at the center of the work. While not as detailed as Brennan Pursell's Benedict of Bavaria with regard to Ratzinger's childhood experiences; I found these sections to be sufficient and appropriate given the goals of the book. One is given an overall impression of Ratzinger's life from childhood; through his appointment to as the Cardinal Archbishop of Munich; to the sometimes-shackling position as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Throughout; Benedict's great intellect and humility shine forth as perhaps his defining qualities. Overall; this is the best biography of Benedict I have read and I greatly appreciate Mr. Seewald's work. I recommend it to anyone who wants to gain knowledge about perhaps the most important man of this age.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An outstanding book and writers - both Pope Benedict and Peter SeewaldBy Ayman I. SayeghWell written; well thought; easy to read and follow book full of stories and inspiring text for both Catholics and non Catholics alike.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy hairincorporatedExcellent
