Corwin E. Smidt is director of the Paul Henry Institute and a professor of political science at Calvin College. Kevin R. den Dulk is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Grand Valley State University. James M. Penning is director of the Social Research Center and professor of political science at Calvin College. Stephen V. Monsma is a research fellow at the Paul Henry Institute at Calvin College and professor emeritus of political science at Pepperdine University. He is the author of many books, including most recently coauthored Faith, Hope and Jobs: Welfare to Work in Los Angeles which is also available from Georgetown University Press. Douglas L. Koopman is a professor of political science at Calvin College. Koopman coauthored Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush's Faith-Based Proposals which is also available from Georgetown University Press.

• Introduction: Religion and Civic Responsibility1. Civil Society, Civic Responsibility, and Citizenship2. Religion in Contemporary America 3. Religion and Membership in Civic Associations 4. Religion, Volunteering, and Philanthropic Giving 5. Religion and Civic Capacities 6. Religion and Civic Virtues 7. Religion, Civic Participation, and Political Participation Appendices: A: Description of Surveys Employed B: Variation in Questions and Question Wording on Membership in Voluntary Associations C: Question Wording Related to Volunteering by Survey D: Question Wording Related to Charitable Giving by Survey References Index

A truly valuable (and in many ways definitive) treatment of this contentious subject... A powerful and sophisticated endorsement of religion as a positive force in American civic life... A splendidly researched volume that makes an important point within a unified and coherent theoretical framework. It is highly recommended. Political Science Quarterly A solid book that brings new insights to bear on our knowledge of religion and civic life. It is a must-read for scholars and laypeople interested in this topic and is likely to be a particularly useful resource for undergraduate courses in the social science of religion given that it is highly accessible and contains a wealth of information and facts. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly