Does religion promote political mobilization? Are individuals motivated by their faith to focus on issues of social justice; personal morality; or both? What is the relationship between religious conviction and partisanship? Does religious identity reinforce or undermine other political identifications like race; ethnicity; and class? The answers to these questions are hardly monolithic; varying between and within major American religious groups. With an electoral climate increasingly shaped by issues of faith; values; and competing moral visions; it is both fascinating and essential to examine the religious and political currents within America's major religious traditions.J. Matthew Wilson and a group of prominent religion and politics scholars examine these topics and assess one question central to these issues: How does faith shape political action in America's diverse religious communities? From Pews to Polling Places seeks to cover a rich mosaic of religious and ethnic perspectives with considerable breadth by examining evangelical Christians; the religious left; Catholics; Mormons; African Americans; Latinos; Jews; and Muslims. Along with these groups; the book takes a unique look at the role of secular and antifundamentalist positions; adding an even wider outlook to these critical concerns.The contributors demonstrate how different theologies; histories; and social situations drive distinct conceptualizations of the relationship between religious and political life. At the same time; however; the book points to important commonalities across traditions that can inform our discussions on the impact of religion on political life. In emphasizing these similarities; the authors explore the challenges of political mobilization; partisanship; and the intersections of religion and ethnicity.
#592214 in Books 2009-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.20l; .50 #File Name: 1586174096190 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Excellently researched and telling of a little known history of WWIIBy paulknolanA superbly researched and finely written book that tells the story that was unknown to me prior to my watching Gregory Peck in the made for TV movie “The Scarlet and the Black†which was based on this book (a fine move that follows the book closely). I found an original hardbound copy of the book in good shape to give to my 86 year old mother who loves the history of the Catholic Church. I read the book; cover to cover; in two evenings before sending it on. My mother and I both were enthralled in the telling of the cat and mouse game between the “Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican†and the Gestapo. I bought another paperback copy of the book that was retitled with the name of the movie to share with my wife who loves murder mysteries and she too was gripped by the telling of the story of the near misses and the tragic losses of those who stood between the innocents and the Gestapo. 6 stars out of 5!!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent storyBy JayWhat a remarkable man this was. Many will be familiar with the story through the portrayal of this Monsignor by Gregory Peck. Typically; as remarkable as the movie is; the true story is even moreso. The book makes a great companion to the film to sort out fact from fiction and fictionalized facts.This is the story of a Catholic priest; more; about one man's personal campaign against evil and he did not care what uniform it wore. He was not in partnership with any nationality. His first loyalty was to Rome and the Vatican. But; he waged his campaign knowing that the system could only go so far in sheltering him and those who worked with him and unselfishly; he never let personal risk deter him from doing what he saw as right.One need not be a Catholic or Christian to appreciate the lengths he went to and risks he took in opposing the greatest evil of the last century. Do not let religious bias stay you from reading this. As the man himself was big; his story is bigger than that.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It was said of O'Flaherty; "There goes a true saint" (p. 187).By Anthony BosnickThis is an adventure story of a little-known figure who made a big impact on the lives of many in World War II in Italy. This story of the Irish Catholic priest Msgr. Hugh O'Flaherty working in the Vatican's Holy Office relates his extensive efforts to find hiding places in areas around Rome for Allied soldiers and flyers on the run from the Nazis. It is quite a story; easy to read; and very engaging. (As one who is currently teaching middle school history; I think it might even be a good book for teens. And for adult readers as well; of course.)My only disappointment was that there are no footnotes identifying the sources of the information in the text and there is no Index to help the reader find information in the book. I would also have found it helpful to have a "Cast of Characters" to help keep the people straight in my mind. (For readers wanting a more scholarly approach to the same topic; perhaps Stephen Walker's "Hide and Seek" would be an option; which I have also read and reviewed.) And I do like a few more photos than were included here as they help to make connections. But all considered; I highly recommend this book as it sheds light on a little-known aspect of World War II.I read this book after viewing the DVD by the same name on the same subject. Gregory Peck plays Msgr. O'Flaherty in the movie and is a much more dashing figure than Msgr. O'Flaherty in real life; but such is Hollywood!
