Why do individuals and groups hold distinctive theological views? Why do these beliefs change? In what ways do theological interpretations influence concepts of spiritual and political justice? How and why do these concepts of justice affect policy preferences held by religious liberals and conservatives?
Much has recently been written about the relationship between power, conservative politics, and evangelical religious groups, but very little attention has been paid to so-called "progressive" religious groups among Protestants, Catholics, and Jews and their relationship to political thought and action.
This wide-ranging and interdisciplinary work, ideal for use in college courses on religion and social issues, explores the impact of theological interpretations about God, the individual, society, church, and government on attitudes toward procedural and distributive justice. Major issues revolve around civil liberties, sexual choice, gender equality, world peace, prison reform, and income distribution
List of Tables viii
Preface ix
Chapter 1. Interpretations of Religion and Politics 1
Political Attitudes and Religious Values 2
Political and Spiritual Justice 10
Meaning of Justice 10
Sources of Knowledge about Justice 22
Application of Spiritual Principles to Public Policies 24
Religious Discourse and Political Change 27
Conclusion 33
Chapter 2. Perspectives on Biblical Justice 36
Interpretations of the Scriptures 37
Jesus, Justice, and the Challenge to Elitist Rule 43
Paul, Justice, and Citizenship in Heaven 52
Conclusion 59
Chapter 3. Walter Rauschenbusch: Prophet of the Social Gospel 65
Capitalist Modernization and the Progressive Movement 67
Theological Views about Justice 74
Public Policy Preferences for Justice 80
Conclusion 83
Chapter 4. The Social Gospel and Political Action 90
Protestant Activists 93
Jim Wallis 95
William Sloane Coffin 102
John Shelby Spong 113
Dorothy Day: The Catholic Worker Movement 123
Rabbi Michael Lerner: The Network of Spiritual Progressives 130
Conclusion 138
Chapter 5. New Thought and the Power of the Individual Mind 140
The Heritage of New Thought 148
Early Christian Gnosticism: The Gospel of Mary 148
Transcendentalism: The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson 151
The Teacher of New Thought: Emma Curtis Hopkins 158
The Unity School of Christianity 164
Religious Science 172
Conclusion 181
Chapter 6. The Policy Influence of Religious Liberalism 186
The Exercise of Political Influence 191
Religious Vision 197
Political Organization 200
Individual Support 207
Conclusion 213
Chapter 7. Liberal and Conservative Attitudes toward Justice 219
The Motivational Basis of Attitudes 224
Hypotheses about Issue Preferences 233
National Public Opinion 238
Public Opinion among Religious Groups 243
Conclusion 256
Appendix: Measurement of Variables 261
References 266
Index 316
Biography
Charles Andrain is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at San Diego State University.
"Andrain’s striking interdisciplinary study at the intersection of politics and theology boldly promises to bring liberalism back as an intellectual force for justice and social integrity. His account of the social gospel in U.S. moral history reminds us of the great prophetic power of engaged Christian liberalism, so deeply at odds with the politically complacent and narrowly ambitious conservative Christian politics of today." -- Christine Helmer, Departments of Religion and German, Northwestern University
"This book offers a broad, exciting look at religion's role in conceptualizations of justice. Truly interdisciplinary, the book will appeal to scholars across many disciplines. It also offers a particularly timely look at how religion and politics might be married together in ways that go beyond the Religious Right's "values" rubric." -- Laura R. Olson, Professor of Political Science, Clemson University
"Andrain has a deep knowledge of American political sociology...This text will be of greatest interest to scholars of American religion and political sociology." Choice, 2009
