In Under God, Garry Wills, an eminent political observer, moves thru the tapestry of American history, illuminating the instances where politics & religion have collided. Beginning with the 1988 presidential contest, an election that included two ministers & a senator accused of sin, he surveys history to show the continuity of present controversies with past religious struggles, arguing that the secular standards of the Founding Fathers have been misunderstood. He shows that despite reactionary fanatics, religion has often been a progressive force in American politics & explains why the policy of separating church & state has, ironically, strengthened the church's position. Marked by the high quality of observation defining his work, Under God is an original look at why religion & politics will never be separate in the USA.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Sin & Secularity
Bible Beginnings
Bible Endings: 'Premil'
'Postmil': Pat Robertson
Politics & Black Religion
Politics & Pornography
Politics & Abortion
Church & State
Conclusion
Notes
Index
In Under God, Garry Wills, an eminent political observer, moves thru the tapestry of American history, illuminating the instances where politics & religion have collided. Beginning with the 1988 presidential contest, an election that included two ministers & a senator accused of sin, he surveys history to show the continuity of present controversies with past religious struggles, arguing that the secular standards of the Founding Fathers have been misunderstood. He shows that despite reactionary fanatics, religion has often been a progressive force in American politics & explains why the policy of separating church & state has, ironically, strengthened the church's position. Marked by the high quality of observation defining his work, Under God is an original look at why religion & politics will never be separate in the USA.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Sin & Secularity
Bible Beginnings
Bible Endings: 'Premil'
'Postmil': Pat Robertson
Politics & Black Religion
Politics & Pornography
Politics & Abortion
Church & State
Conclusion
Notes
Index