Despite all the hype surrounding the "New Atheism;" the United States remains one of the most religious nations on Earth. In fact; 95% of Americans believe in God--a level of agreement rarely seen in American life. The greatest divisions in America are not between atheists and believers; or even between people of different faiths. What divides us; this groundbreaking book shows; is how we conceive of God and the role He plays in our daily lives. America's Four Gods draws on the most wide-ranging; comprehensive; and illuminating survey of American's religious beliefs ever conducted to offer a systematic exploration of how Americans view God. Paul Froese and Christopher Bader argue that many of America's most intractable social and political divisions emerge from religious convictions that are deeply held but rarely openly discussed. Drawing upon original survey data from thousands of Americans and a wealth of in-depth interviews from all parts of the country; Froese and Bader trace America's cultural and political diversity to its ultimate source--differing opinions about God. They show that regardless of our religious tradition (or lack thereof); Americans worship four distinct types of God: The Authoritative God--who is both engaged in the world and judgmental; The Benevolent God--who loves and helps us in spite of our failings; The Critical God--who catalogs our sins but does not punish them (at least not in this life); and The Distant God--who stands apart from the world He created. The authors show that these four conceptions of God form the basis of our worldviews and are among the most powerful predictors of how we feel about the most contentious issues in American life. Accessible; insightful; and filled with the voices of ordinary Americans discussing their most personal religious beliefs; America's Four Gods provides an invaluable portrait of how we view God and therefore how we view virtually everything else.
#597079 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 2011-12-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.30 x 9.30l; 1.35 #File Name: 0195328973368 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An excellent; profound book.By Leslie HunterRobert Leiken has produced a profound analysis of the psychology and sociology of radicalization. With his customary depth and vast knowledge of history and culture; he lays out the sociological; cultural; psychological; historical; and economic factors that are leading postmigrant Muslim youth in Europe to become alienated; radicalized; commit atrocities; and kill themselves in the name of a murderous ideology. He brilliantly describes the complex inter-generational issues faced by migrants and notes that; regardless of their differences of class; education or nationality; violent jihadists in Europe tend to be second- and third-generation migrants. This fascinating and highly readable book; as timely now—with new analysis of the differences between IS and al Qaeda—as it was when it was first published; should be required reading for policy makers; aspiring officeholders and those advising them; especially amid increasing cries for more boots on the ground when what is required is a much more comprehensive; nuanced strategy; informed by scholarship and knowledge of the factors that are contributing to the current situation.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. An intriguing analysis of Europe's struggle with Islamic extremism within its own bordersBy Peter in ChicagolandIn his book; Europe’s Angry Muslims: The Revolt of the Second Generation; Robert S. Leiken sheds a light on Europe’s state of affairs with Islamic extremism within its own borders. He provides an intriguing analysis of “the multiple dimensions of European jihad—geographic; temporal; economic; political; and cultural†(pp. 268). Leiken suggests that both European and American policy makers need to better comprehend complex factors involved such as immigration issues; identity of the second generation Muslims in the West; and diversity within Islamism. Leiken rightly disapproves unsophisticated; one-dimensional depiction of Muslims in the media; and presents a more nuanced view of Muslims in Europe that helps discredit a neatly pre-packaged notion of Islam; extremists; and ordinary Muslims (pp. 268–69).4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Excellent historical reviewBy MallowExcellent historical review. Bogs down a bit with unfamiliar Arab names (to a certain extent unavoidable). The differences between certain European countries; and their historical attitudes toward assimilation; tolerance of nonassimilation; and the outcomes is minatory for the US.
