Politics, Religion, and the Common Good
Ordained minister and esteemed author Martin E. Marty examines the sensitive role of religion in contemporary U.S. government and politics in this slender but brave book. Marty has never been afraid of controversy or dialog, and this book is guaranteed to spark both. "We offer the following theses to stimulate conversation, and we expect--and welcome--agreement and disagreement alike," writes Marty. He then launches into statements such as, "Public religion can be dangerous; it should be handled with care.... Traditional institutions--congregations, denominations, and ecumenical agencies--provide an effective public voice for religious people, but the political power of such groups has declined."In his opening chapter Marty explains the perils of integrating religion into the fray of politics--such as the potential for fundamental extremism and religious violence. But in his second chapter, "Worth the Risk," he delves into a persuasive argument for blending church and state, with assertions such as "religion can combat apathy" and "religious people can provide a voice for the voiceless." In follow-up chapters Marty discusses ways that religion can meld with government and how it could actually improve the quality of civic representation. The writing style is smooth and journalistic in tone (Marty is also a senior editor atChristian Century), yet the material represents an expansive vision and shows an obvious depth.