Taking religious pluralism seriously : spiritual politics on America's sacred ground

Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously: Spiritual Politics On America's Sacred Ground ably edited by Barbara A McGraw and Jo Renee Formicola is an informed and informative compilation study of the religious right and the secular left determining the role of religion in American public life. Although America claims one of its most basic fundamental rules is the restriction of religious influence, this much is disproven with the situational analysis given in Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously. Very highly recommended for its enlightening and thought-provoking information, Taking Religious Pluralism Seriously is an excellent read for students of Political Science, Theology, and all non-specialist general readers with an interest in Church/State separation issues. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 9 Foreword by Diana L. Eck......Page 11 Preface......Page 19 1. Introduction to America's Sacred Ground (Barbara A. McGraw)......Page 25 2. American Jews and the Public Role of Religion (Kenneth D. Wald)......Page 51 3. Confucianism on America`s Sacred Ground (Thomas Selover)......Page 69 4. Catholicism and Pluralism: A Continuing Dilemma for the Twenty-first Century (Jo Renee Formicola)......Page 85 5. Greening of America`s Sacred Ground: Eco-Spirituality and Environmental Politics (Stephen Woolpert)......Page 111 6. The Mormon Religion, Cultural Challenges, and the Good Society (John R. Pottenger)......Page 127 7. American Muslims and the Rediscovery of America`s Sacred Ground (M. A. Muqtedar Khan)......Page 151 8. The Black Church and the Politics of Liberation (Jane Lance Taylor)......Page 173 9. The Hindu Tree on America`s Sacred Ground (Anantanand Rambachan)......Page 197 10. Staking Out America`s Sacred Ground: The Baptist Tradition of Religious Liberty (Derek H. Davis)......Page 215 11. Buddhist Contributions to the Civic and Conscientious Public Forums (Rita M. Gross)......Page 239 12. Unsecular Humanism: The Supreme Court and American Public Culture (David W. Machacek and Philip E. Hammond)......Page 259 Epilogue: Issues for Further Study and Conversation (Barbara A. McGraw)......Page 275 Notes......Page 285 Bibliography......Page 325 About the Contributors......Page 345 Index......Page 349

the Clash Between The Religious Right And The Secular Left Undermines Any Serious Debate About The Role Of Religion In American Public Life. Such Strident Cultural Rhetoric Often Ignores The Positive Contributions Of America S Many Religions. By Contrast, This Volume Celebrates America S Religious Diversity, Demonstrating That Religious Pluralism Is Actually One Of Democracy S Basic Building Blocks. taking Religious Pluralism Seriously Expands On Barbara A. Mcgraw S Framework For Understanding Religious Participation In Public Life A Two-tiered Public Forum, Consisting Of The Civic Public Forum And The Conscientious Public Forum. The Chapters Explore How Diverse Religious Communities And Traditions, Including Newer And Marginalized Religions, Can Make A Meaningful Contribution To American Society And Politics.

The clash between the religious right and the secular left undermines any serious debate about the role of religion in American public life. Strident rhetoric polarizes the nation and undermines the potential for the many other voices of America's pluralistic society to be heard. By contrast, this volume provides a political and moral framework through which Americans from diverse religious perspectives can engage in a conversation about the common good. In so doing, this volume turns away from the divisiveness in the current debate and celebrates America's religious diversity, demonstrating that religious pluralism is actually one of democracy's basic building blocks. Today the debate about the role of religion in American public life, and its role in shaping American values, is mired in a clash between the religious right and the secular left-the extremes of each vying for dominance.