The Quiet Hand of God
Faith-Based Activism and the Public Role of Mainline Protestantism
1st Edition
Published on 21. October 2002
Book
Hardback
440 pages
978-0-520-23312-6 (ISBN)
Description
This collection of essays paints a portrait of American Protestantism at the beginning of the 21st century - a denomination that has remained quietly, but firmly, influential in the public sphere. Mainline Protestants may have steered clear of the controversial, attention-grabbing tactics of the religious Right, but they remain culturally influential and continue to impact American society through political action and the provision of social services. The contributors to this volume address religion's larger role in society and covers such topics as welfare, ecology, family, civil rights, and homosexuality.
Reviews / Votes
"An important contribution to our understanding of the public influence of mainline Protestantism. This well-written and expansive book reveals how socially, civically, and politically active mainline Protestantism continues to be in American society, contrary to much conventional wisdom. Yet it shows the mainline influence as having a particular character, different from that of other religious traditions. Mainline Protestantism has, without justification, been understudied lately. This landmark book puts it back on the map and will generate discussion and inquiry for years to come." -Christian Smith, author of The Secular RevolutionMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Berkerley
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
11 line illustrations, 18 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
726 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-520-23312-6 (9780520233126)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Robert Wuthnow | John H. Evans
The Quiet Hand of God
Faith-Based Activism and the Public Role of Mainline Protestantism
E-Book
10/2002
1st Edition
Naval Institute Press
€33.49
Available for download
Persons
Robert Wuthnow is Professor of Sociology at Princeton University. His most recent books are Creative Spirituality: The Way of the Artist (California, 2001), Growing Up Religious (1999), After Heaven (California, 1998), and Loose Connections (1998). John H. Evans is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of Playing God? Human Genetic Engineering and the Rationalization of Public Bioethical Debate (2002).
Content
List of Tables and Figures Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. History, Organization, and Activities 1. The Logic of Mainline Churchliness: Historical Background since the Reformation Peter J. Thuesen 2. Mainline Protestant Washington Offices and the Political Lives of Clergy Laura R. Olson 3. The Generous Side of Christian Faith: The Successes and Challenges of Mainline Women's Groups R. Marie Griffith 4. Religious Variations in Public Presence: Evidence from the National Congregations Study Mark Chaves, Helen M. Giesel, and William Tsitsos 5. Connecting Mainline Protestant Churches with Public Life Nancy T. Ammerman 6. The Changing Political Fortunes of Mainline Protestants Jeff Manza and Clem Brooks Part II. Involvement in Public Issues 7. Furthering the Freedom Struggle: Racial Justice Activism in the Mainline Churches since the Civil Rights Era Bradford Verter 8. The Hydra and the Swords: Social Welfare and Mainline Advocacy, 1964-2000 Brian Steensland 9. Caring for Creation: Environmental Advocacy by Mainline Protestant Organizations Michael Moody 10. Vital Conflicts: The Mainline Denominations Debate Homosexuality Wendy Cadge 11. For the Sake of the Children? Family-Related Discourse and Practice in the Mainline W. Bradford Wilcox 12. From Engagement to Retrenchment: An Examination of First Amendment Activism by America's Mainline Churches, 1980-2000 Derek H. Davis 13. Doing Good and Doing Well: Shareholder Activism, Responsible Investment, and Mainline Protestantism Lynn D. Robinson 14. Love Your Enemies? Protestants and United States Foreign Policy Lester Kurtz and Kelly Goran Fulton 15. Beyond Quiet Influence? Possibilities for the Protestant Mainline Robert Wuthnow List of Contributors Index