Religion and Politics in America, 6th Edition

Religion and politics are never far from the headlines, but their relationship remains complex and often confusing. This book offers an engaging, accessible, and balanced treatment of religion in American politics. It explores the historical, cultural, and legal contexts that motivate religious political engagement and assesses the pragmatic and strategic political realities that religious organizations and people face. Incorporating the best and most current scholarship, the authors examine the evolving politics of Roman Catholics; evangelical and mainline Protestants; African-American and Latino traditions; Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities; recent immigrants and religious "nones"; and other conventional and not-so-conventional American religious movements.

New to the Sixth Edition

• Covers the 2016 election and assesses the role of religion from Obama to Trump.

• Expands substantially on religion’s relationship to gender and sexuality, race, ethnicity, and class, and features the role of social media in religious mobilization.

• Adds discussion questions at the end of every chapter, to help students gain deeper understanding of the subject.

• Adds a new concluding chapter on the normative issues raised by religious political engagement, to stimulate lively discussions.

“Praise for Prior Editions "This 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, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Denison University "Carefully 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 University "Religion 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, Director, Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, University of Akron "This 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, Professor of Political Science, Calvin College”

Praise for the Sixth Edition

The 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-Newark

Praise for Earlier Editions

This 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 University

Carefully 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 University

Religion 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 Akron

This 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 College

A 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 State

The authors do the field of religion and politics a great service with this introductory yet sophisticated text.

Religion and Politics Newsletter

An outstanding synthesis of historical, sociological, and cultural perspectives on religious activism and church-state issues in the U.S.

Theological Studies

This 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

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.

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