Religion and Politics in America

Allen D. Hertzke is presidential professor of political science at the University of Oklahoma. He is the author, editor, or coeditor of Freeing God's Children, The Future of Religious Freedom, Religious Freedom in America, and Christianity and Freedom, Volumes I & II.Laura R. Olson is professor of political science at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina. She is author, coauthor, or coeditor of nine books, including Beyond Red States and Blue State, Religious Interests in Community Conflict and Christian Clergy in American Politics.Kevin R. den Dulk is associate professor of political science and Honors Faculty Fellow at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. He is coauthor of Pews, Prayers, and Participation and The God Gap? and The Challenge of Pluralism, 3rd edition, and coeditor of Mediating Religion and Government.Robert Booth Fowler is professor of political science (emeritus) at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. An award-winning teacher, he is the author of numerous books, including Enduring Liberalism: American Political Thought since the 1960s, The Dance with Community, and Unconventional Partners.

• Chapter 1 Religion and Political Culture in America: From the Historical Legacy to the Present DayChapter 2 Theories of Religion, Culture, and American PoliticsChapter 3 Christianity and Its Major BranchesChapter 4 Judaism, Islam, and Other Expressions of Religious PluralismChapter 5 Latino and African American Religion and PoliticsChapter 6 Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, and PoliticsChapter 7 Voting and Religion in American PoliticsChapter 8 The Politics of Organized Religious GroupsChapter 9 Religion and Political and Cultural ElitesChapter 10 Religion, Civil Society, and Political CultureChapter 11 The Politics of Religion in the Legal SystemChapter 12 Church and State in the CourtsChapter 13 Big Themes and Normative Concerns in Religion and Politics

Praise for the Sixth EditionThe new edition of this essential text on religion and American politics includes terrific features to help students engage with the material. I am especially impressed with expanded coverage of religion and intersectionality, as well as of religion in the Trump era. Elizabeth A. Oldmixon, University of North Texas Religion and Politics in America continues to challenge students to understand how religion and culture interact and influence each other in American politics, including the impact of this dynamic on public policy. This insightful new edition introduces new information on race, gender, and sexual orientation in a manner that highlights change and stability across the political, legal, and cultural arenas.James D. Ward, Rutgers University-NewarkPraise for Earlier EditionsThis thoughtful new edition closely tracks the current salience of religion to the political system, while carefully placing these developments in historical and theoretical context. It will promote discussion of the key issues in the field in both introductory and upper level courses—a real achievement.Paul A. Djupe, Denison UniversityCarefully re-organized and updated, the new edition builds on the impressive 2nd edition. Fresh insights abound in this accessible text.Clarke E. Cochran, Texas Tech UniversityReligion and Politics in America is an invaluable primer on this increasing important topic. Well-written, well-researched and up-to-date, it combines a broad vision of the role of faith in American public life with sensitivity to the nuances of religious communities.John Green, University of AkronThis outstanding book is must reading for anyone interested in religion and politics in the United States. The authors provide a current, comprehensive, and accessible examination of an exceedingly important subject.James M. Penning, Calvin CollegeA thoughtful, well-balanced work… Few books provide as comprehensive a survey of religion and politics in America as this one… A valuable book for students and scholars of religion and politics in America.Journal of Church and StateThe authors do the field of religion and politics a great service with this introductory yet sophisticated text.Religion and Politics NewsletterAn outstanding synthesis of historical, sociological, and cultural perspectives on religious activism and church-state issues in the U.S.Theological StudiesThis book delivers handsomely on its title… The authors provide an insightful guide to both contemporary religion and contemporary politics in America. It is essential reading for those who would understand the often confusing cultural churnings that are transforming our public life.Richard John Neuhaus, Author of The Naked Public Square; Editor in Chief of First Things