American Prophets

"[A] thoroughly reported [and] revelatory history about the intersection of progressive politics and religion in America" (Publishers Weekly). Since the 1970s, the Religious Right has established itself as a coalition of fundamentalist powerbrokers who set the standard for Christian political values. But, as religion reporter Jack Jenkins contends, the country is also driven by a vibrant, long-standing moral force from the left. Taking many forms and many names, the Religious Left has operated since America's founding-praying, and protesting for progressive values such as abolition, labor reform, civil rights, environmental preservation. In American Prophets, Jenkins examines the re-emergence of progressive faith-based activism, detailing its origins and contrasting its goals with those of the Religious Right. Today's rapidly expanding interfaith coalition¿-¿which includes Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and other faiths¿-¿has become a force within the larger "resistance" movement. Jenkins profiles Washington political insiders-including former White House staffers and faith outreach directors for the campaigns of Barack Obama, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton-as well as a new generation of progressive faith leaders, including:

• Linda Sarsour, co-chair of the Women's March
• Rev. Traci Blackmon, a pastor near Ferguson, Missouri, who lifts up black liberation efforts across the country
• Sister Simone Campbell, head of the Catholic social justice lobby and the "Nuns on the Bus" tour organizer
• Native American "water protectors" who demonstrated against the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock
• Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop