cover of Political Justice and Religious Values

Political Justice and Religious Values

By Charles F. Andrain

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About the Book

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

Reviews

"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

Table of Contents

1. Interpretations of Religion and Politics 2. Perspectives on Biblical Justice 3. Walter Rauschenbusch: Prophet of the Social Gospel 4. The Social Gospel and Political Action 5. New Thought and the Power of the Individual Mind 6. The Policy Influence of Religious Liberalism 7. Liberal and Conservative Attitudes toward Justice. Appendix: Measurement of Variables

About the Author(s)

Charles Andrain is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at San Diego State University.