Religion and politics Books

Book SynopsisRivals in the Gulf: Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Abdullah Bin Bayyah, and the Qatar-UAE Contest Over the Arab Spring and the Gulf Crisis details the relationships between the Egyptian Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi and the Al Thani royal family in Qatar, and between the Mauritanian Shaykh Abdullah Bin Bayyah and the Al Nahyans, the rulers of Abu Dhabi and senior royal family in the United Arab Emirates. These relationships stretch back decades, to the early 1960s and 1970s respectively. Using this history as a foundation, the book examines the connections between Qaradawi's and Bin Bayyah's rival projects and the development of Qatar's and the UAE's competing state-brands and foreign policies. It raises questions about how to theorize the relationships between the Muslim scholarly-elite (the ulama) and the nation-state. Over the course of the Arab Spring and the Gulf Crisis, Qaradawi and Bin Bayyah shaped the Al Thani's and Al Nahyan's competing ideologies in importanTable of ContentsIntroduction: Rivals in the Gulf; Part 1: Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the Al Thanis, and Qatari Foreign Policy; 1. Wahhabism and Wasaṭiyya in Qatar; 2. Qaradawi, Qatar, and the Arab Spring; 3. War in Syria, Coup in Egypt, Crisis in the Gulf; Part 2: Abdullah Bin Bayyah, the Al Nahyans, and Emirati Foreign Policy; 4. Abdullah Bin Bayyah and the Al Nahyans; 5. The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies; Conclusion: The ʿUlamāʾ in the Gulf States

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What is Antisemitism? offers a history of anti-Jewish animosity from antiquity to the present - including a discussion of the difficulties of defining antisemitism and three case studies illustrating the diverse and wide-ranging nature of the phenomenon in the present-day.

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Book Synopsis''No one else casts such a shrewd and gimlet eye on contemporary life.'' William BoydComic, dark and insightful, What Happened? is Hanif Kureishi''s new collection of essays and fiction. No topic is too fringe or too mainstream for this insatiableand much-lovedauthor. From social media to the ancient classics, from appraisals of David Bowie to Georges Simenon to Keith Jarrett, this is the latest literary ''event'' in a unique body of work that displays Kureishi''s characteristic boundless curiosity and wit. What Happened? is as much about the very fact of Kureishi's catholic appetite for culture as his observations and insights themselves, and any new book in his oeuvre is a justification for celebration.

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Book SynopsisIn The Call of the Tribe, Mario Vargas Llosa surveys the readings that have shaped the way he thinks and has viewed the world over the past fifty years.

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Book SynopsisExamines the social origins of civil-democratic Islam, its long-term prospects, its implications for the West, and its lessons for our understanding of religion and politics in modern times. This book is a comparative study of Islam and democracy. The contributors are Bahman Baktiari, Thomas Barfield, John R Bowen, Dale F Eickelman, and more.Trade Review"This is a most interesting and serious book on Islam. It is perhaps one of the most scholarly books on the topic since September 11."--As'ad AbuKhalil, Perspectives on Politics "Remaking Muslim Politics remains ... an important work. It captures the wide breadth of civic-democratic Islamic voices with exhaustive detail in cross-national contexts."--Sean L. Yom, American Journal of Islamic Social SciencesTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vii Note on Transliteration ix Contributors xi CHAPTER 1: Introduction: Modernity and the Remaking of Muslim Politics by Robert W. Hefner 1 CHAPTER 2: New Media in the Arab Middle East and the Emergence of Open Societies by Dale F. Eickelman 37 CHAPTER 3: Pluralism, Democracy, and the 'Ulama by Muhammad Qasim Zaman 60 CHAPTER 4: The End of Islamism? Turkey's Muslimhood Model by Jenny B.White 87 CHAPTER 5: Dilemmas of Reform and Democracy in the Islamic Republic of Iran by Bahman Baktiari 112 CHAPTER 6: Thwarted Politics: The Case of Egypt's Hizb al-Wasat Augustus by Richard Norton 133 CHAPTER 7: Rewriting Divorce in Egypt: Reclaiming Islam, Legal Activism, and Coalition Politics by Diane Singerman 161 CHAPTER 8: Empowering Civility through Nationalism: Reformist Islam and Belonging in Saudi Arabia by Gwenn Okruhlik 189 CHAPTER 9: An Islamic State Is a State Run by Good Muslims: Religion as a Way of Life and Not an Ideology in Afghanistan by Thomas Barfield 213 CHAPTER 10: Islam and the Cultural Politics of Legitimacy: Malaysia in the Aftermath of September 11 by Michael G. Peletz 240 CHAPTER 11: Muslim Democrats and Islamist Violence in Post-Soeharto Indonesia by Robert W. Hefner 273 CHAPTER 12: Sufis and Salafis: The Political Discourse of Transnational Islam by Peter Mandaville 302 CHAPTER 13: Pluralism and Normativity in French Islamic Reasoning by John R. Bowen 326 Index 347

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Book SynopsisAn esteemed theologian examines how American identity and America's presence in the world are shaped by war.Table of ContentsIntroductionPart 1: America and War1. War and the American Difference2. America's God3. Why War Is a Moral Necessity for AmericaPart 2: The Liturgy of War4. Reflections on the "Appeal to Abolish War"5. Sacrificing the Sacrifices of War6. C. S. Lewis and Violence7. Martin Luther King Jr. and Christian NonviolencePart 3: The Ecclesial Difference 8. Jesus, the Justice of God9. Pentecost: Learning the Languages of Peace10. A Worldly Church: Politics, Theology, and the Common Good11. A Particular Place: The Future of Parish Ministry12. Beyond the Boundaries: The Church Is MissionIndex

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Book SynopsisIt?s time to talk honestly about the gulf between institutional Christianity and the ideals embodied by Jesus. With courage and compassion, Regina V. Cates asks thought-provoking questions about why present-day Christianity is often characterized by fear, judgment, and egotism. Imagining Jesus would be appalled by much that is said in his name, Regina points readers toward Christ?s lovingkindness, inclusivity, and humility. In so doing, she challenges readers to align their hearts more closely with Jesus?s teachings and honestly address the harm caused by so much institutional religion. ?God?s loving grace within our heart is the power of light that gives us strength to honestly examine the oppressive attitudes and behaviors alive within much of Christianity?attitudes and behaviors that, to Jesus?s heart, would not be either logical or kind.? As part of this challenge, Regina initiates thoughtful conversations about topics including sexual abuse, racism, religious and political corruption, abortion, and sexual orientation. Part memoir, part social commentary, and part call to action, this book invites all people of good faith to more fully embody Jesus?s message by taking up his call to love our neighbors as ourselves.?Let?s demonstrate our love for Jesus by asking and answering the questions I imagine he would ask. . . . I believe to truly follow him, it is imperative we help create the caring, peaceful, and respectful world he envisioned.?

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction: Being as Tradition Aristotle Papanikolaou and George E. Demacopoulos | 1 SECULARIZATION Secularism: The Golden Lie Graham Ward | 21 Collectivistic Christianities and Pluralism: An Inquiry into Agency and Responsibility Slavica Jakelić | 36 What Difference Do Women Make? Retelling the Story of Catholic Responses to Secularism Brenna Moore | 60 The Secular Pilgrimage of Orthodoxy in America Vigen Guroian | 80 Saeculum–Ecclesia–Caliphate: An Eternal Golden Braid Paul J. Griffiths | 94 A Secularism of the Royal Doors: Toward an Eastern Orthodox Christian Theology of Secularism Brandon Gallaher | 108 FUNDAMENTALISM Fundamentalism: Not Just a Cautionary Tale Edith M. Humphrey | 133 Resolving the Tension between Tradition and Restorationism in American Orthodoxy Dellas Oliver Herbel | 152 Fundamentalists, Rigorists, and Traditionalists: An Unorthodox Trinity R. Scott Appleby | 165 “Orthodoxy or Death”: Religious Fundamentalism during the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries Nikolaos Asproulis | 180 Confession and the Sacrament of Penance after Communism Nadieszda Kizenko | 204 Conscience and Catholic Identity Darlene Fozard Weaver | 223 Fundamentalism as a Preconscious Response to a Perceived Threat Wendy Mayer | 241 Acknowledgments | 261 Contributors | 263 Index | 265

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction Matthew T. Eggemeier, Peter Joseph Fritz, and Karen V. Guth | 1 Part I: Upheaval Under Capitalism 1. Capital’s “Secret Orders”: A Du Boisian Lens on the Alt- Right and White Supremacy Mark Lewis Taylor | 13 2. Protest at the Void: Theological Challenges to Capitalist Totality Devin Singh | 49 3. As the World Burns: Laudato Si’, the Climate Crisis, and the Limits of Papal Power Mary Doak | 69 Part II: Race, Aesthetics, and Religion 4. Whiteness and Civilization: Shame, Race, and the Rhetoric of Donald Trump Donovan O. Schaefer | 93 5. Rootedness on the Slippery Earth: Migration in a Time of Social Upheaval Nichole M. Flores | 112 6. Christian Responses to the “Revolutionary Aesthetic” of Black Lives Matter Jermaine M. McDonald | 124 Part III: Migration, Labor Movements, and Islam 7. Caught in the Crosshairs: Muslims and Migration Zayn Kassam | 143 8. Iftars, Prayer Rooms, and #DeleteUber: Postsecularity and the Promise/ Perils of Muslim Labor Organizing C. Melissa Snarr | 161 Part IV: Thresholds in Gender, Sexuality, and Christianity 9. Slogan, Women’s Protest, and Religion Kwok Pui-lan | 177 10. LGBTQ+ Politics and the Queer Thresholds of Heresy Ju Hui Judy Han | 195 Acknowledgments | 217 List of Contributors | 219 Index | 221

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Book SynopsisWhat is causing the American public to move more openly into alt-right terrain? What explains the uptick in anti-immigrant hysteria, isolationism, and an increasing willingness to support alternatives to democratic governance? The Everyday Crusade provides an answer. The book points to American Religious Exceptionalism (ARE), a widely held religious nationalist ideology steeped in myth about the nation''s original purpose. The book opens with a comprehensive synthesis of research on nationalism and religion in American public opinion. Making use of survey data spanning three different presidential administrations, it then develops a new theory of why Americans form extremist attitudes, based on religious exceptionalism myths. The book closes with an examination of what''s next for an American public that confronts new global issues, alongside existing challenges to perceived cultural authority. Timely and enlightening, The Everyday Crusade offers a critical touchstone for better undersTrade Review'This ambitious book succeeds in demonstrating how our national myth of American Religious Exceptionalism profoundly shapes the world around us. Marshalling survey data from a variety of sources gathered over a decade, McDaniel, Nooruddin, and Shortle provide us a systematic framework sure to influence research agendas for years to come.' Andrew L. Whitehead, author of Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.'In this timely and important contribution, McDaniel, Nooruddin, and Shortle masterfully illuminate how the myth of American Religious Exceptionalism has shaped popular and dominant conceptions of what it means to be an American. Their work is crucial to understanding historic and contemporary political battles over the country's most pressing and defining issues, including immigration, citizenship, and American identity.' Ashley Jardina, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Duke University'In The Everyday Crusade, an impressive group of scholars combines their individual expertise to conduct a strikingly thorough exploration of religious exceptionalism. Not only do they draw evidence from numerous surveys over the course of a decade, but they also examine how religious exceptionalism manifests across groups and even in global contexts. This book will undoubtedly be of great interest to scholars for years to come.' Nicole Yadon, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Ohio State University'Blending meticulous analyses of survey data with deep, nuanced interrogation of history, The Everyday Crusade illuminates the longstanding hold of American religious exceptionalism on policy preferences, political beliefs, and American identity. This exploration of the far-reaching imprints of America's founding mythology offers timely insights for our current state of affairs.' Davin L. Phoenix, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of California, Irvine'This outstanding book couples compelling historical examples and a wealth of data capturing public views to reveal the deep roots and ideological staying power of a potent mix of race, religion, and nationalism shaping U.S. politics today.' Janelle Wong, author of Immigrants, Evangelicals, and Politics in an Era of Demographic ChangeTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Myths, Gods, and Nations; 2. Who are the Believers?; 3. Who Dwells in His House?; 4. What Do We Owe Strangers?; 5. Evangelizing American Religious Exceptionalism; 6. Governing the Temple; 7. The View from the Back Pews; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisLaudianism was both a way of being Christian and a political ideology. This definitive account of this intensely controversial movement explores how it helped cause the English civil war, but over the long term provided one of the visions of the national church, one that has been in contention to define ''Anglicanism'' ever since--Table of ContentsIntroduction: Part I. Laudianism, where it Came From: 1. A Trinitarian and incarnational theology; 2. Andrewes' political theology; 3. Andrewes' anti-puritanism; 4. Puritan politics; 5. The tree of repentance and its fruits; 6. Absent presences; the role of predestination in Andrewes' divinity; 7. The visible church and its ordinances; Part II. Laudianism, what it was: 8. The house of God; 9. The house of God and the beauty of holiness; 10. The beauty of holiness and ceremonial conformity; 11. Church ceremonies, the authority of the church and the authority of scripture; 12. Prayer; 13. Preaching; 14. The sacrament and the altar; 15. The sacrament and the social body of the church; 16. The altar and visible succession; 17. The feasts and festivals of the church, or putting the sabbath in its place; 18.Sunday sports and the re/constitution of the Christian community and the social order; 19. The sabbath and the Laudian attitude to authority; Part III. Laudianism, what it was n't: 20. Order, puritanism and the state of the English church; 21. Puritan 'privacy', or the forms of puritan voluntary religion anatomized; 22. A religion of the word and the question of authority; 23. Puritanism, popularity and politics; 24. Of moderate puritans and popular prelates; 25. The puritan threat, the church of England and the Personal Rule as a period of reformation; Part IV. Laudianism and Predestination: 26. Laudianism, puritanism and Arminianism revisited; 27. The language of mystery; 28. Fatal necessity; 29. Predestination, the positive case: of justice and mercy, prescience and predestination; 30. Faith, hope and charity; 31. Effort without merit; repentance, amendment and the works of penitence; Part V. Laudianism as Coalition, the Constituent Parts: 32. Dis-aggregating, or the pleasures and benefits of splitting; 33. Of converts, collaborators and apostates, i, puritans; 34. Of converts, collaborators and apostates, ii, Calvinist conformists; 35. Of apparatchiks, zealots and coming men; 36. The Laudian avant garde, (i) young men in a hurry; Cambridge University in the 1630s; 37. The Laudian avant garde, (ii) old men in a hurry; Robert Shelford, James Buck and Edward Kellett; 38. Tacking and trimming; negotiating the end of 'the Laudian moment'; 39. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisThis book introduces the American Evangelical movement and the role it played in the support of Donald Trump. It is an essential read for all students and researchers of Evangelicalism, Religion in America, Political Theology, or Religion and Politics.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. The New Cyrus and the "Seven Mountains" of Culture 2. Apostles: Religious and Political Entrepeneurs 3. Spiritual Warfare and the Specter of Civil War 4. When Is the End of the World? Eschatological Fictions and Their Political Consequences Conclusion Epilogue Bibliography Name Index Subject Index Scripture Index

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Book SynopsisProtestant Christian historiography has persistently erased unmarried, childless women from the story of faith in Australia. When women are mentioned, they are judged according to a heteronormative, maternalist framework built upon the ideology of separate spheres. This paradigm creates a lopsided picture, whereby women are celebrated for their social and moral influence, but are absent from rational, intellectual discourse. This book asks the question, why have unmarried women who devoted themselves to social justice activism motivated by their Christian faith been erased from the pages of Australian religious histories? It does this through biographies of two unmarried women, each engaged in very different work aimed at creating a more just and equitable Australia.Queer Omissions uses biographical case studies of two unmarried, childless women, Frances Levvy (1831-1924) and Constance Duncan (1896-1970), to critique the writing of Protestant religious histories in Aus

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Book SynopsisIn The Unfree Exercise of Religion Jonathan Fox examines how we understand concepts like religious discrimination and religious freedom, and why countries discriminate. He makes a study of religious discrimination against 597 religious minorities in 177 countries between 1990 and 2008.Trade Review'The Unfree Exercise of Religion, Jonathan Fox's latest global analysis of the status of religions, solidifies his standing as the leading empirical scholar on the subject. He shows that discrimination against the practices and institutions of 597 minority religions is ubiquitous. More than six out of ten minorities in this new study faced discrimination on one and usually many of 29 indicators. Causal analyses show that no one or handful of conditions can explain why. Whether the state has an official religion, and whether the minority is seen as a security threat, are relevant but so are many other factors. It may be unsurprising that discrimination against religious minorities of every major sect, in every world region, has increased since 1990. But who would have thought that the prosperous Christian democracies would be more discriminatory than their democratic counterparts in the Third World? Could we have anticipated that, globally, Christian religious minorities are most likely to be subject to discrimination and Muslim minorities least so? Unfree Exercise is a remarkable data-based study that spans the entire range of questions, both descriptive and casual, about the nature, causes, and impact of discrimination against religious minorities in 177 countries.' Ted Robert Gurr, University of Maryland, College Park'Political scientist Jonathan Fox brings his characteristic blend of analytic acuity, encyclopedic coverage, and moral concern to the phenomenon of religious discrimination. Drawing from the extraordinary dataset that he has constructed over several years, he brings striking results to bear: all across the globe, religious discrimination is widespread and is getting worse.' Daniel Philpott, Center for Civil and Human RightsTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. What is religious discrimination?; 3. The causes and consequences of religious discrimination; 4. Christian majority states 1 - Western democracies and the former Soviet bloc; 5. Christian majority countries 2 - the Third World; 6. Muslim majority countries; 7. Other countries; 8. Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisIt is because Catholicism played such a formative role in the construction of Western legal culture that it is the focal point of this enquiry. The account of international law from its origin in the treaties of Westphalia, and located in the writing of the Grotian tradition, had lost contact with another cosmopolitan history of international law that reappeared with the growth of the early twentieth century human rights movement. The beginnings of the human rights movement, grounded in democratic sovereign power, returned to that moral vocabulary to promote the further growth of international order in the twentieth century. In recognising this technique of periodically returning to Western cosmopolitan legal culture, this book endeavours to provide a more complete account of the human rights project that factors in the contribution that cosmopolitan Catholicism made to a general theory of sovereignty, international law and human rights.Trade Review'Catholic cosmopolitanism has made an essential contribution to the rise of human rights law in the twentieth century. This well-researched book convincingly demonstrates that such an approach to international law did not come out of the blue but instead built on a millennium of Catholic legal, political and theological thought from the medieval period to the modern. It also leaves the reader with a pressing question: will the fruitful alliance of cosmopolitan traditions stemming from the Enlightenment and Christianity hold? Swimming somewhat against the tide, the author makes a case for why this would be desirable while acknowledging that it appears increasingly unlikely.' Hans-Martien ten Napel, Universiteit Leiden'This timely and challenging book takes us beyond the traditional histories of human rights law, exploring its often neglected roots in and links to the contested cosmopolitanism of Catholicism. Understanding the roots and limits of the modern human rights project requires continuous reflection and an openness to new ways of thinking about the ruptures that human rights claims seek to provoke. Catholic Cosmopolitanism and Human Rights will be an indispensable resource for all scholars and historians of the human rights project, and for critical and sympathetic observers of Catholicism's claims to universalism.' Siobhán Mullally, Established Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland GalwayTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Catholic cosmopolitan and the birth of human rights; 2. Catholic cosmopolitanism from the centre to the periphery; 3. Catholic cosmopolitanism from the periphery to international concern; 4. Locating a modern Christian cosmopolitanism; 5. An imperfect cosmopolitan project; Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines Anglo-Italian political and cultural relations and analyses the importance of religion in the British 'Orientalist' perception of Italy. It puts religion at the centre of a harsh political and cultural war, one that was fought on international, diplomatic, and domestic levels.Trade Review“Raponi’s monograph improves our understanding of the British enthusiasm for the Risorgimento by exploring how religion and politics fused together when Italian affairs were on the agenda. … Raponi has consulted a very impressive range of sources. … The book is beautifully written, Raponi’s style being lively and engaging.” (Owain Wright, Journal of Religious History Literature and Culture Reviews, June, 2016)Table of ContentsIntroduction: Britain and Italy, Religion and Politics 1. Italy as the 'European India': British Orientalism, Cultural Imperialism, and Anti-Catholicism, c. 1850-1870 2. British Missionary Societies in Italy: Evangelising a Hostile Land, 1850-1862 3. Religion and Foreign Policy: From Unification to the 'Desperate Folly' of the Syllabus (1861-1864) 4. British Missionary Societies in Italy: Searching the Soul of the New Nation, 1862-1872 5. Protestant Foreign Policy and the Last Years of the Roman Question, 1865-1875 Conclusion: 'Great' because Protestant, 'Oriental' because Catholic

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Book SynopsisThis book draws upon theory and theology to consider how religious institutions engage with post-conflict statebuilding and why they would choose to lend their resources to the endeavour. Drawing from the theologies of Roman Catholicism and Sunni Islam, Dragovic explores their possible motivations to engage alongside the international community.Trade Review''As an international civil servant, Denis Dragovic has seen the importance of religion in political life while serving in conflict zones around the world. This fascinating study adds to that lived experience rigour and scholarship, resulting in an insightful comparative study of Catholicism and Islam. Building on the themes of salvation and justice, Dragovic provides new insights into how the deep purpose that underlies religious belief plays a crucial role in politics.'' - Professor Anthony F Lang, Chair in International Political Theory in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews and Director of the Centre for Global Constitutionalism ''This book is striking in its appreciation of how religious communities might play a constructive role in rebuilding the state following conflict. It examines Roman Catholic Christian and Sunni Islamic traditions and then focuses in particular on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dragovic is especially impressive in his commitment to understanding religious perspectives from the inside and also in his description of the role of religious institutions on the ground.'' - Professor George Rupp, Columbia University, formerly Dean of the Harvard School of Divinity and President of International Rescue CommitteeTable of ContentsSeries Editor Introduction; John Brewer Author Preface Introduction 1. Religion and Post-Conflict Statebuilding 2. Roman Catholic View of the State 3. Salvation as the Catholic Post-Conflict Statebuilding Imperative 4. Sunni Islam and the State 5. Justice as the Sunni Post-Conflict Statebuilding Imperative 6. Bosnia and Herzegovina Conclusion

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Book SynopsisPer-Erik Nilsson takes a religious studies approach to analyse the intersections of secularism, nationhood and populism in contemporary France. This book provides insight into the French and European radical-nationalist ideology and activism, and contributes to our understanding of the complex relationship between religion and the state in contemporary Europe and beyond. When Marine Le Pen became the leader of the radical nationalist and populist party National Front in 2011, she made clear that secularism was a core value of party. This signalled a significant shift in the party''s rhetorical strategies and previous reluctance to embrace secularism. Nilsson argues that this conspicuous appropriation first came about as a logical result of the obsession of the established mainstream political parties and news media with questions of secularism, national identity and Islam. He shows that a key player in understanding the National Front's change is the web-based journal RipTrade ReviewIn this in-depth dissection of an important French identitarian far-right movement, Per- Erik Nilsson gives us a clear insight into how these anti-Muslim activists, misleadingly claiming to work in the cause of secularism, argue and mobilize in their frightening attempt to carry out a religious cleansing of France. * John R. Bowen, Dunbar-Van Cleve Professor in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, USA, and author of On British Islam (2006) and Can Islam be French? (2009). *To stand out from a crowd of researchers, one has to take a very unusual and creative approach to the topic. In his book French Populism and Discourses on Secularism Per-Erik Nilsson does just this by exploring the phenomenon of populism from a unique perspective. * Journal of Language and Politics *This timely book is a must-read for those interested in (and concerned by) how laïcité has been mobilized for nationalist, racist and xenophobic ends. Why laïcité and why now? Scholars in a diverse range of fields will find answers in this empirically and theoretically rich monograph. * Jennifer A. Selby, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, and author of Questioning French Secularism (2012). *Table of ContentsPreface 1 Under Siege: Approaching Secularism, Populism, and Nationhood in France 2 A Green Cancer: The Construction of an External Enemy 3 Collaborators and Traitors: The Construction of Internal Enemies 4 The Real People: Identifying the True People of France 5 Reconquista or Death: The Exploration of Strategies to Purify the Nation 6 Echoes from the Past: An Outlook on Europe Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisThis book offers a novel approach to considering Brazilian Christianity's interplay with global processes from its inception to the present day. It adopts a multi-scalar approach to Brazilian Christianity, linking local grassroots practices and beliefs with processes at the various spatio-temporal levels. These include regional (rural-urban diversification), national (secularization, the radical pluralization of the Christian field, and intensified detraditionalization and retraditionalization) and transnational. Sílvia Fernandes also identifies longue durée dynamics that connect colonial Christianity with current events, including the rise, crisis, and resurgence of Progressive Catholicism, and the election of right-wing populist Jair Bolsonaro with support from a sizable number of Evangelical Protestants and Charismatic Catholics, as well as traditionalist Catholics. This book demonstrates that as Christianity enters its third millennium, it is increasingly shaped by churchesTrade ReviewThe book is definitely worth approaching and recommended not only to all those who will simply find the topic interesting, but also perhaps even as one of the obligatory, comprehensive readings, to all new adepts of religious studies focused on Brazil and, in more detail, on Brazilian Christianity. * International Journal of Latin American Religions *{The author} presents a book that comes fill a gap ... [making] a considerable contribution. * Religião e Sociedade (Bloomsbury Translation) *Silvia Fernandes combines theoretical insight with her experience in the field, to provide an accessible and rigorous overview of the dynamics that have shaped Brazilian Christianity, as well as its contributions to global Luso-religiosity. * Gustavo Morello SJ, Associate Professor of Sociology, Boston College, USA. Author of Lived Religion in Latin America (2021). *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Global Significance of Brazilian Christianity 1. Christianity Comes to Brazil: Hybridity, Domination, and Resistance 2. Competing and Cross-Fertilizing Structures of Feeling: Ways of Being Christian in Brazil 3. Religious Innovators and Entrepreneurs: The Builders of Brazilian Christianity 4. Topographies of Brazilian Christianity: Regional and Urban-Rural Continuities and Discontinuities 5. A Multi-Faceted Christianity: A Denominational View 6. Brazilian Christianity, Politics, and Society Conclusion: Quo Vadis Brazilian Christianity? Bibliography List of Abbreviations Index

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Book SynopsisThis book interrogates the patterns and discursive structures that have generated the seeming urgency of Muslims' integration. Focusing on Germany, it problematizes the grounds on which politics of integration are justified and reasoned upon, and thereby investigates divergent operations of power vis-à-vis Muslims and Islam in a formally liberal-secular society. The integration paradigm in Germany has been predicated on an imperial knowledge regime, in which Islam figures as the external friend or enemy of an imagined Christian secular. This book analyzes three kinds of integration practices as symptomatic sites for the multifaceted dimensions of power in this paradigm: the scientific measurement of Muslims' degrees of integration which are correlated with their degrees of religiosity; the politics of recognition promoted by state-organized dialogue with Muslims; and the threat of sanction, found in the regulations of citizenship and explicitly in citizenship tests. Centrally, thTrade ReviewWell-written, perceptive, and un-flinching in its analysis, Schirin Amir-Moazami’s Interrogating Muslims is an important and timely intervention into the conversations and contestations around the Muslim Question in Germany. Amir-Moazami shows with rare clarity that we should think of ‘integration’ less as the incontrovertible good in the contested terrain of majority-minority relations and more as a crucial element in the governance of Muslim minorities—and in the identity formation of the majority. Through the lens of the Muslim Question, what comes into focus here is in fact the question of Germany’s liberal identity itself. * Heiko Henkel, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark *Schirin Amir-Moazami carefully studies how the structural interrogation of Muslims by state institutions in Europe forms an intrinsic part of the politics of integration. It does not stem from 9/11 and its aftermath, but has a much longer and more structural genealogy that connects it to the ‘liberal-secular matrix,’ the politics of recognition, and the colonial mindset. This book provides the fundamental critique of integration in relation to Muslims in Europe that we needed. * Yolande Jansen, Associate Professor of Social and Political Philosophy, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands *By tracing the connections between the current political occupation with the integration of Muslims and the longer trajectories of nation-state building and European colonial projects, this book provides an important and refreshing contribution to the literature on integration and its discontent. * Birgitte Schepelern Johansen, Associate Professor of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. Genealogies of Integration and Islampolitik 2. Integration and the emergence of a “Muslim Question” 3. Measuring Integration: Governing through Knowledge 4. Dialogue with Muslims: Governing through Recognition 5. Blood, Race, Religion: Governing through Discipline Conclusion References Notes Index

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Book SynopsisWin the War for Your Own IntegrityAfter Phil Robertson quoted Scripture in an interview with a national magazine, his hit show, Duck Dynasty, put him on “indefinite hiatus.” Phil immediately knew what had happened: he had become a target of cancel culture.Since that time, Phil has spoken out against public shaming, strategic campaigns to get Bible-believing employees fired, and other tactics that are wreaking havoc in our society. In a deeply divided country, with so many bent on condemning and silencing others, Phil calls for us to carry out the unifying message of Jesus Christ.In Uncanceled, Phil shares his own experiences with cancel culture as he encourages us to turn to Scripture as we navigate politics, personal conversations, and new cultural norms; helps us see the psychological and political motivations behind silencing conservative voices; reminds us that the goal is not

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a survey of Islam in Turkey since the founding of the modern republic in 1923. It examines the secularising policies of Turkey's founders and how these policies have shaped the development of religious institutions and social expectations around religious practice up to the present day.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a translation of Aziz al-Azmeh's seminal work Al-'Ilmaniya min mandhur mukhtalif that was first published in Beirut in 1992.

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Book SynopsisA compelling account of how race and politics have affected Iranian immigrants in the United Statesand GermanyIranians have a complex and contradictory relationship with race. Though categorized as white by the US census, many Iranian Americans remain marginalized, and experience racial and political stigma daily. On the other hand, Iranian Germans who have been in Germany for decades, and are typically regarded as 'good foreigners,' continue to experience marginality and discrimination illustrating the limitations of integration and citizenship. Conditional Belonging explores these apparent contradictions through a comparative analysis of the Iranian diasporic experience in the United States and Germany, focusing particularly on the different processes of racialization of the immigrants. Drawing from eighty-eight interviews with first- and second-generation Iranians living in California and Hamburg, Sahar Sadeghi illuminates how international events, global political policy, and natTrade ReviewConditional Belonging is a serious, timely contribution to scholarship on the racialization and migration experiences of Iranians. By providing the first in-depth, comparative analysis of Iranian immigrants in the United States and Germany, Sahar Sadeghi deepens our understanding of national and cultural membership in both societies. Clear, readable, and effective, this is an important book that answers the call for a more global and comparative Iranian diaspora studies * Neda Maghbouleh, author of The Limits of Whiteness *Conditional Belonging is a brilliant, piercing ethnographic portrayal of how first-and second-generation Iranians in the United States and Germany navigate the complexities of racialization while struggling to gain full recognition and social belonging—without ever quite succeeding. Gripping first-hand accounts reveal how race-based nationalism continues to inform the social order in liberal, democratic states and amplify the sidelining of so-called foreign others. This timely book is a must-read for understanding both the visible and hidden racial projects that undermine collective commitments to unconditional inclusion and equality. * Manata Hashemi, author of Coming of Age in Iran *Conditional Belonging demonstrates the ways in which empire (US) and racial nationalism (Germany) operate to situate Iranians as perpetual foreigners, including among the linguistically and culturally adept second generation and the most socially integrated of immigrants. Sadeghi’s fine attention to empirical detail shows us how these variations play out and how the rise of white nationalism in both countries has produced new yet divergent strategies of resistance. * Louise Cainkar, author of Homeland Insecurity *Review on Faculti Podcast, https://faculti.net/conditional-belonging/ -- Muhlenberg College * Faculti Podcast *

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Book SynopsisExplores the complex role that Black religious leaders playor don't playin twenty-first-century racial justice effortsDr. Martin Luther King Jr. along with many of his Black religious contemporaries courageously mobilized for freedom, ushering in the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. Their efforts laid the groundwork for some of the greatest legislative changes in American history. Today, however, there is relatively limited mass mobilization led by Black religious leaders against systemic racism and racial inequality. Why don't we see more Black religious leadership in today's civil rights movements, such as Black Lives Matter?Drawing on fifty-four in-depth interviews with Black religious leaders and civic leaders in Ohio, Korie Litte Edwards and Michelle Oyakawa uncover several reasons, including a move away from engagement with independent Black-led civic groups toward white-controlled faith-based organizations, religious leaders' nostalgia for and personal links tTrade Review"An excellent analysis of how dynamics such as the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and a Black Protestant ethic shaped successful efforts by Black clergy in Ohio to get out the vote during the 2012 presidential election. The book also vividly chronicles local tensions between politics and theologies that undermined participation by many of these same leaders with activist groups like Black Lives Matter. Smart Suits, Tattered Boots is a must read for anyone interested in leadership and civic engagement among contemporary Black ministers and the processes that can foster and/or undermine such efforts." -- Sandra L. Barnes, C. V. Starr Professor of Sociology, Brown University"Featuring high quality social science research and drawing richly on a wide and appropriate range of works, Smart Suits, Tattered Boots makes an important contribution to the field." -- Michael Emerson, co-author of Blacks and Whites in Christian America: How Racial Discrimination Shapes Religious Convictions"One must go quite far back to find articles that highlight the impact of Black church leadership (or really any congregational factors) on social movements … That makes the exposure to a top-notch analysis of the kinds of religious actors that Smart Suits, Tattered Boots provides especially important." * Mobilization *

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Book SynopsisThe religion of Orange politics offers an in-depth anthropological account of the Orange Order in Scotland. Based on ethnographic research collected before, during, and after the Scottish independence referendum, Joseph Webster details how Scotland’s largest Protestant-only fraternity shapes the lives of its members and the communities in which they live. Within this Masonic-inspired 'society with secrets', Scottish Orangemen learn how transform themselves and their fellow brethren into what they regard to be ideal British citizens. It is from this ethnographic context – framed by ritual initiations, loyalist marches, fraternal drinking, and constitutional campaigning – that the key questions of the book emerge: What is the relationship between fraternal love and sectarian hate? Can religiously motivated bigotry and exclusion be part of human experiences of ‘The Good?’ What does it mean to claim that one’s religious community is utterly exceptional – a literal ‘race apart’?Trade Review'Joseph Webster here confirms his reputation as an anthropologist of the hidden orders of power, prophecy, and secrecy that lie behind the everyday world. The religion of Orange politics is a timely reminder that religion, politics, and nationalism are intertwined in our identities in complex historic knots. Above all, it is a book about people, in all their flawed and noble humanity.'David G. Robertson, The Open University'Joseph Webster’s fascinating book is the most insightful, balanced and convincing study of the Orange Order in modern Scotland yet published. It deserves a wide readership.'Sir Tom Devine, University of Edinburgh -- .Table of ContentsIntroduction: Orangeism, Protestantism, anthropology1 Situating Scottish Orangeism2 The menace of Rome3 A society with secrets4 Fraternity and hate5 British togetherConclusion: ‘The Good’ of Orange exceptionalismBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisSurviving repression tells the story of the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2013 coup d'état in Egypt. The Brotherhood gained legal recognition and quickly rose to power after the 2011 Arab uprisings, but its subsequent removal from office marked the beginning of the harshest repression of its troubled history. Forced into exile, the Brotherhood and its members are now faced with a monumental task as they rebuild this fragmented organisation. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and interviews with current and former members of the Brotherhood, the book explores this new era in the movement’s history, emphasising first-hand experiences, perspectives and emotions to better understand how individual responses to repression are affecting the movement as a whole.Surviving repression offers a unique insight into the main strategic, ideological and organizational debates dividing the Brotherhood.Table of ContentsIntroduction1 The Freedom and Justice Party in power: Islam is (not) the solution?2 The fall from grace3 The tanzim, shattered4 Lessons learnt? Stagnation vs adaptation5 Divided, togetherConclusionGlossaryBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThis study utilises John Donne’s works concerning the Jacobean Settlement as a contextualised case study to examine a seriously pressing issue in contemporary society: the issue of Catholic loyalism post-1603 and the disputes that thistopic sparked over the matter of conformity.Altman examines Donne’s polemic in line with the vast expanse of literature relating to the pamphlet war and situates Donne’s arguments within a strong contemporary tradition of conformist thought. Within this context, the study argues that Donne articulated a theory of royal absolutism that would have struck home with many contemporaries who, whether Catholic or not, were faced with a regime determined to bring them into conformity. It further contends that the religio-political standpoint represented by Donne was not only fairly obvious to the English state but was also widely accepted by it.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Situating John Donne within post-Reformation studies1 Absolutism and the moderation of religion2 Resistance theory, tyrannicide and the trope of the ‘Evil Jesuit’ 3 Volunteerism and self- sovereignty in discourses on martyrdomConclusion: John Donne studies and the “Revisionist” paradigmIndex

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Book SynopsisIn "Religion, Fundamentalism, and Violence", Andrew L. Gluck brings together distinguished scholars to address a fiercely debated topic: the intersection of religion and violence. Among the contributions is an anthropological analysis of the violence associated with the Abrahamic monotheistic religions of the Middle East, a compelling essay accounting for the violence in Hindu religious traditions, an informative look at the Israeli-Palestinian tensions of more recent times, and an essay on the Catholic just war theory. Each chapter is followed by a commentary and reply, making this volume indispensable for students and scholars of the history of religions.

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Book SynopsisThe first systematic study of the Qur’ān and Islamic history in the light of René Girard’s mimetic theory.This groundbreaking book offers the first systematic study of the Qurʾān and Islamic history in the light of René Girard’s mimetic theory. Girard did not deal deeply with Islam, offering only scattered hints in some interviews after the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Addressing this gap in Girardian studies, Adnane Mokrani aims to develop an Islamic theology that goes beyond just war theory to adopt a radical nonviolent approach. He analyzes the Qurʾānic text and classical and modern exegetical literature, focusing on the Qurʾānic narratives, then extends his research to the history of Islam, removing the sacred character attributed to some events and human choices in order to disarm theology and dismantle the ideologies of power. This same critique is also applied to the unprecedented levels of violence in modern and contemporary history. A radical and politically committed theology of peace is needed to recover the spiritual dimension of religion that frees people from the temptations of the individual and collective ego. It is a mystical and narrative theology in dialogue with other world theologies on the future of humanity—an urgent appeal needed now more than ever.Trade Review“Adnane Mokrani’s book is an original and enlightening effort in reinterpreting the Islamic historical narrative in the mirror of RenÉ Girard’s mimetic theory. The greatest merit of Mokrani’s work is his clarity and audacity in presenting Islam as a post-sacrificial religion. As such, this book opens a new consideration in the field of nonviolent Islam by demonstrating the need to move beyond a limited and stereotyped view of this religion."—Ramin Jahanbegloo, professor, vice dean, and executive director, Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Peace Studies, Jindal Global Law School, India

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Book Synopsis"Socialists Don't Sleep is one of those timely books that just points out the roots of what's gone wrong in America, how we can get our country back on track to what founders envisioned and the Judeo-Christian community that holds the key to America's long-term successes." — Gov. Mike Huckabee, New York Times Bestselling author & Host of HuckabeeSocialists Don't Sleep: Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall is about all the sneaky ways the secular left has pressed Socialism into American politics and life – AND WHY CHRISTIANS ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN STOP IT!Socialists Don't Sleep tells how America has gone from a country of rights coming from God – NOT government – to a country that embraces Socialism – where the US government is now expected to pretty much provide from cradle to the grave. Cheryl K. Chumley, an award-winning journalist and contributing editor to The Washington Times, explains how to return the country to its glory days of God-given, and why Christians, more than any other group, are best equipped to lead the way.“Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — when it comes to socialism in America, these two aren't the problem. Per se. They're simply symptoms of the real problems that usher in Socialism: a dysfunctional entitlement-minded society, a propaganda-pushing school system, a decayed culture, a sieve-like border. As Cheryl Chumley points out in Socialists Don't Sleep, we can't root out socialism unless we first address the real problems.” — Michael Savage, New York Times Bestselling author & host of The Savage NationTrade ReviewPraise for Socialists Don't Sleep: Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall by Cheryl K. Chumley "Socialists Don't Sleep is one of those timely books that just points out the roots of what's gone wrong in America, how we can get our country back on track to what founders envisioned and the Judeo-Christian community that holds the key to America's long-term successes." — Gov. Mike Huckabee, New York Times Bestselling author & Host of Huckabee “Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — when it comes to socialism in America, these two aren't the problem. Per se. They're simply symptoms of the real problems that usher in Socialism: a dysfunctional entitlement-minded society, a propaganda-pushing school system, a decayed culture, a sieve-like border. As Cheryl Chumley points out in Socialists Don't Sleep, we can't root out socialism unless we first address the real problems.” — Michael Savage, New York Times Bestselling author & host of The Savage Nation “What is it about the founding principles of America that the secular progressive left would make better? The answer is: Nothing. In her new book, Cheryl Chumley reminds us of those principles and calls on those who still believe in them to engage the failed policies and ideology of Socialism and atheism and to fight back.” — Cal Thomas, Nationally-syndicated Conservative Columnist “If you think socialism will inevitably lose at the polls, think again! As Cheryl shows in Socialists Don't Sleep, the far Left — in both political parties — has been eroding our freedoms for decades. The long-term solution must come from the Judeo-Christian community. If the churches don't rise, America is sunk.” — Sam & Kevin Sorbo, Writer-Producer-Director Team for Let There Be Light “An important book that shows just how close our country is from losing its freedoms — and why the younger generations need to learn truthful history about capitalism, freedom, and socialism.” — Will Witt, PragerU Personality “Socialists Don’t Sleep exposes the flawed thinking of the socialist left.” — Phil Robertson, New York Times Bestselling author & Star of Duck Dynasty "Cheryl Chumley’s book, Socialists Don’t Sleep: Why Christians Must Rise, Or America Will Fall, is a masterpiece. Unlike most politicians and academicians, she keenly understands the true greatness of America, and unequivocally sounds an alarm of caution if our nation continues down its current path of blindness toward our founding principles and values. There are few books that I believe should be read by everyone, this is one of them. The message Chumley lays forth is clear, profound, disturbing, and hopeful. It’s time for America to have a reality check, a deep, soul-searching reality check. This is a great place to start." — Representative Jody B. Hice, R-GATable of ContentsSocialists Don't Sleep: Christians Must Rise or America Will Fall Table of Contents 1. Why America is GREAT in the first place America was founded on a principle that rights come from God, not government. And this, simply put, is what makes us great. Atheists, secularists, humanists, progressives, the far left, socialists and the like would have it believed otherwise; they scoff at any notion that framers and founders would want any mention or influence of God at all in the public arena. But fact is: Take God out of America’s society, and first the culture, then the politics, fall. The concept that “we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights” isn’t just a guarantee – it’s a responsibility. If we want America the free to stay free, then we have to make sure government doesn’t grow so big as to supplant God and squelch our individual rights. This chapter looks at some of the key principles that make America great in the first place, including the bedrock idea of individual rights coming from God, not government, and makes the case that without this core idea, without preserving the principle of the God-given, not the government granted, the country will crumble from within – America the Free, America the Great, will exist no more. 2. What’s Happened to the Democrats? Once upon a time, Democrats used to stand for the little guy, the oppressed woman, the blue-collar worker, the union member – or did they? This chapter looks at the morphing of the Democrat Party through the years, from one of an “ask not what you your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” kind of attitude, to one of becoming the protector of the illegal immigrant, the voice of the abortion-on-demand crowd. This chapter also separates the truths from fiction, and shows how some misconceptions over the years about what this party has actually represented have hardened into rather ridiculous beliefs. (Democrats, for instance, have been able to lay claim to being the party of minorities despite the fact that in 1964, a greater percentage of Republicans than Democrats voted for the Civil Rights Act – despite the fact the Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, filibustered the measure for more than 14 hours). Regardless, the lurch left of the Democrat Party in the most recent years has not only divided the party and set the stage for in-fighting for years to come, but also ushered in a brash brand of “democrat” politics that is nothing like the Democrats of John F. Kennedy days. The overall effect to the nation has been dramatic as its portrayed conservativism as radicals, shifted moderate Democrats to the side and seemingly embraced the most socialistic of ideas as practical. As the country moves ever farther left, another question looms: Can today’s Democrats simultaneously serve both party and God? This is a grave matter of importance that goes to the ability of our nation to keep its republic – to preserve this form of government that demands a virtuous and principled people. This chapter challenges the reader to take a hard look at the party, its platforms and politics, its rhetoric and leanings – and decide. 3. Republicans Have Some Explaining to Do, Too It’s not as if an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sprung into socialist being in the House overnight. Or, a self-declared Democratic-Socialist like Sen. Bernie Sanders, for that matter. For decades, a committed, well-funded, organized and determined left has been pressing forward an agenda that, as President Donald Trump might say, puts America second, not first. But while Democrats have walked rather rapidly in recent years down the path toward socialism, Republicans haven’t exactly been keepers of the freedom flame. Plenty of Republicans protecting their big business interests and payrolls and profits have gone silent when it comes to clamping the borders, or arresting illegals at work, or fining companies that hire illegals. Too many Republicans have turned blind eyes and deaf ears on the encroaching Big Government designs, and put personal finances or private interests before those of the people. One way to look at it: If Democrats have become the party of the give-away to illegals and minorities, Republicans have become the party of the give-away to big business – and either way, it’s the individual whose rights are being trounced. It’s the notion of God-given rights that’s being crushed, in favor of government-granted. Republicans have also bent backwards, post-September 11, especially, to make sure police and law enforcement have all the tools they need to keep communities safe – even when those tools come with questionable civil rights and privacy dings, and give negligible results. This chapter looks at the damage Republicans have done to America’s sovereignty in recent years, all in the name of “for the people,” “for the children,” or “for the safety and security of the nation,” and provides the reader with an understanding of how the socialist mindset can travel just as quickly on wings of fear, which Republicans often float, as on wings of entitlement. 4. Education or Propaganda? Selling Socialism Through the Schools For the longest of time, America’s public school systems were routinely tops in world rankings. Now? The most recent Pew Research Center findings from 2018 show that the United States places 38th of 70 countries when it comes to math scores, and 24th on science. Curiously, this fall has taken place most dramatically in the last few years. In 1990, for example, America was ranked in this same Pew poll as sixth in the world for education and for health care. What’s going on? Schools have forgotten their primary jobs: to educate. Today’s schools are now more interested in making sure diversity and tolerance are their priorities for teaching; math, English, science, social studies, the second-tier concerns. America’s public schools have become less places of reading, writing and arithmetic and more places for filling the minds of youth with propaganda, where the likes of Founding Fathers are presented as racist white men who, by logical extension, created for America some racist governing documents – and therefore, that means America is inherently racist. The propaganda persists at the places of higher learning. America’s colleges and universities, many of which were founded on the principles of advancing Christian evangelism and Judeo-Christian virtues – think Harvard, Yale, Princeton – have become breeding grounds for leftist professors and administrators, who bring forth the next generation of leaders and movers and shakers in this country. So what to do? How to deal? Radical solutions are necessary. Parents who can afford to take their children from public schools and teach them at home, or place them in private schools, ought to do so. Immediately. Public schools receive funding in part based on head-counts of students; one surefire way of grabbing administrators’ attention to talk about necessary reforms is to hit them in the pocketbooks. Another way to push the schools in the direction of teaching actual core course, not just social justice? Have more Christian conservatives and constitutionally-minded, limited government types run for School Board. Their voices will help balance the board discussions. These are but a couple of solutions this chapter explores. 5. Jesus the Socialist, Jesus the Capitalist Progressives in the 1920s insisted their giveaways of government entitlements were rooted clearly in Christian teachings, backed by biblical verses. Today’s Christian conservative camp would say otherwise – that the Bible unequivocally states that only those who work should eat, and that government handouts are hardly the way of Jesus. So who’s right? Who’s wrong? Fact is, there has been a movement of late in certain church circles and in some spiritual denominations to cite Bible verses as justification for opening America’s borders wide; for sheltering illegals from the deportation storm; for providing free – that is, tax payer funded – healthcare to all, including those in-country illegally; for providing all with free college, low-cost housing, free prescription pills, and more. And while some in this church-based movement might very well believe America’s government must do all it can to help the less fortunate, even if it means losing borders, or prosperity, or security, fact is, many in these denominations are false teachers of biblical principles of convenience. They’re leaders of LGBTQ rights’ movements, for instance, or gay pastors pushing same-sex marriage onto the next generation of believers, or simply open border zealots and social justice warriors masquerading as clerical servants of the faith. Whatever their calling, it’s not so much one for Jesus as for personal ambition or political gain. This chapter looks at some of these church-tied organizations and at the backgrounds of the leaders and members, to show how they’re pressing into society a socialist vision that tears down traditional norms and subs in radicalized notions of identity, family and even faith. The message is simple: Before joining these ranks, at least know their true intents. At root, the question becomes: Is the Bible a living breathing document – or not? This chapter challenges the reader to decide. The larger point, as it pertains to American politics, is this: If the Bible is living and breathing, open to interpretation, subject to whims of mankind, then a nation that’s built on Judeo-Christian principles is certainly changeable. If the Bible can mean what we want, certainly the Constitution, the framers’ limited government views, the founders’ free market ideals, can just as easily be shifted and tossed. 6. Children and Guns and Chaos in the Streets Twenty-five million children are being raised in homes without fathers, according to statistics from the Center for Children and Families. Meanwhile, other stats show 90 percent of welfare recipients are single mothers; 70 percent of gang members, teen suicides, teen pregnancies and teen drug and alcohol abusers come from home without fathers. And statistically speaking, children raised in single-parent households are more likely to live in poverty, drop out of school, commit crimes, and land in jail. No wonder our nation’s youth are fighting in the streets. No wonder the media world is filled with stories of mass shootings and horrific murders in our schools. No wonder we have Black Lives Matter and antifa violence, rebelling against everything from police to Confederate monuments with violence. These are the natural consequences of removing God from all-things-public – from taking a secular path and walking a godless road. Not only individuals and families, but communities and societies – culture and politics – become poisoned in an atmosphere that doesn’t teach rights versus wrongs, and therefore disdains morals and absolutes, and ultimately, loses all sense of proper humanity. But it’s into this chaos that big government and socialism step. After all, if there’s chaos in the streets, who better to come in to control it, than government? And when government fails to control – as it will, because problems of drugs and crime and murder cannot be solved by regulation and law, but only by changes of heart, only by God – well then, the call from the political world is to bring in even bigger government, even more rules and regulations and laws. Even more socialist-style solutions, like higher taxes and more entitlement spending and larger social justice outreach using larger pots of tax dollars. This is futile fighting. The solution is not more government, bigger government, socialist “spread the wealth” government. The solution is the private sector and the Christian heart. Joe Gibbs, former Washington Redskins football coach, had a heart for troubled youth and a spirit of Christian love – so he started Youth for Tomorrow, a non-profit that takes in children from broken homes and teaches them the godly principles they need to lead lives of fulfilment and purpose. That’s just one guy, one organization. Think of the lives that can be redirected if more money was directed to groups like Big Brothers and Big Sisters and YMCAs and any number of other organizations with similar life-changing missions. Now add the church missions to the mix. With direction, organization and motivation, much can be done through the private sector, through the church sector, to help America’s struggling youth – and it can all be accomplished without expanding government and adding to the socialist entitlement mindsets that only serve to destroy our great nation. 7. Pressures Within, Pressures Without: Global Go-Gooders Who Actually Do No Good Americans have been bombarded with pleas from the global communities, particularly from the United Nations, to contribute more to overseas’ aid to help eradicate poverty, feed children, educate women and girls, bring about world peace. But there’s a warning in the Bible that aptly applies – the one where Jesus tells his disciples, “Children, be not deceived – I send you out as sheep among wolves.” And before committing any more dollars to the global parties, Americans should be aware of what these non-governmental groups, led in large part by the United Nations, actually advance both around the world, and in the United States. It’s not as it seems. These groups speak a good game; they promote their missions as charitable and focused on the regions with most need. But there are stark differences between programs run by the United Nations and, say, the International Committee of the Red Cross. This chapter looks at the politics behind many of these supposed charitably minded global nonprofits, many operating under the umbrella of the United Nations, and reveals to the reader where the money actually goes, how contributions from the U.S. taxpayer are actually spent -- and how most of these groups actually further big government, corruption, socialist principles and reliance on hand-outs rather than foster independence, sovereignty and self-rule. What’s worse, many of the socialist principles furthered by the global groups actually wind their way into America’s political world, beginning at the federal level and seeping, eventually, into local governments. (Think the U.N.’s sustainable development program, for example, which uses U.S. tax dollars to control human development around the world – and in America’s own back yards). This is top-down socialism being pressed into America’s supposed sovereign system of governance. There are much better ways to help eradicate poverty around the world that won’t involve socialist – even anti-American – U.N. and global-minded non-governmental groups’ missions. This chapter exposes the socialist-advancing dangers of seeing the United Nations and other NGOs in positive lights, as well as provides the charitable minded in America numerous other ways of helping the needy around the world via the private sector, the business world and the churches. America, land of the free, land of the limited government, should not be playing into that socialist lie that only government can provide for the needy. Christians, in particular, know better – and Christians, in particular, are well-positioned to show how to provide for the less fortunate without turning to government. 8. The Politics of Pagans, The Socialism of Secularists One of socialism’s favored ways of advancing a spread the wealth vision is via environmental regulation, the kind pushed by the United Nations (sustainable development), the kind favored by hard-left Green groups in America (Smart Growth), the kind that basically controls any human activity at all on lands, in oceans and other bodies of water, and in the air space above the lands and bodies of water. Not all environmentalism is socialist; not all environmentalists are socialists. But the overall environmental mindset that’s been pushed these past few years has been one of elevating nature to the level of God – and making it seem as if those who oppose the radical agenda are evil capitalists, bent of razing the earth for personal, greedy profit. Big Green is just one indirect way socialism has stolen into the policies of America’s government, though. Just look at some of the programs and systems we have in place that are largely unquestioned, largely embraced and accepted – yet just as largely socialist. The Department of Education? That’s simply the government’s way of taking over the education of youth. The whole Social Security system – the whole Medicare for All conversation that creeps into political talk now and again? Socialist; nothing in the Constitution, nothing in the Bible, nothing in America’s limited government system allows for any sort of rightful use of tax dollars to pay for retirement, or health care, or prescription pills for citizens. There are more, many more. This is what you get when secularists dominate government – a government that treads where it really doesn’t belong and expands where it really shouldn’t be. But let’s start by calling out these programs for what they are – socialist. Then, we can decide whether they’re worthy of keeping, of reforming or of outright abolishing. Putting the government in charge of the education of our youth, for example, has proven alarmingly disastrous; Christians and conservatives could make a solid case for getting rid of the Education Department entirely, and reeling in the teachers’ unions that advance so much of the propaganda training of our youth. But perhaps Social Security could be salvaged, at least until a phase-out plan that doesn’t unfairly punish the contributors is devised – or, perhaps it could be kept untouched, as a tradeoff for doing away with some of the government’s entitlement spending. The point of this chapter is mostly to raise awareness of how Americans have come to accept programs that are inherently socialists – which only opens the door to creating the mindset of the next generation that socialism, in some forms, is not so bad after all. But Christians, instead of advocating for more government, more socialist programs, more entitlement spending, ought to take a stand and show how churches, through tithes, and local charities, through heartfelt donations, can provide many of the socialist services currently offered by our own government. 9. The War on Words – A Very Socialist Battle Control the press, control the messaging, and you control the people. That’s been a guiding principle of tyrants since the dawn of time. Mainstream media bias in favor of Democrats and social media censorship of conservative and Christian views – such as has been happening in recent years -- aren’t just annoying offenses. They’re targeted attacks by the left aimed at shuttering and stifling any views that counter and reject Big Government and oppose socialist principles. This chapter takes a look at the polls and surveys that show the decided left-leaning slants of those in the press – the decided anti-Christian slants, as well -- and then reveals how these leftist viewpoints seep into coverage, regardless of claims to the contrary. This chapter also takes a particularly hard look at social media, and chronicles the rising censorship of specifically conservative and Christian viewpoints. Lila Rose, for example, was recently booted from one social media site because her pro-life views on abortion were deemed hate speech. The Christian Post, for another example, which is a newspaper with a religious worldview, was just blacklisted by Google for its supposed hateful reporting, according to one tech world whistleblower. It was bad enough when conservatives and Christians just had to fight, say, The New York Times for fair and balanced coverage. But now, it’s social media and search engines – a whole online force. So how can conservatives and Christians fight this censorship? First off, by recognizing the extent of the bias and realizing that while some journalists aren’t purposely attacking the ideological right, or purposely using the media to tear down traditional and Christian views, there are enough high-placed, high-ranking editors and executives with influence who are purposely doing just that – and they’re able to sway the coverage on a wide scale. And second off? Conservatives and Christians must use their voices and counter leftist media punch with media punches of their own. Writing letters to the editors; visiting online news sites and adding comments to the comments’ sections; calling broadcast stations and supporting or opposing the editorial direction and content of news stories; starting blogs and even newspapers or newsletters that counter the liberal/socialist lines and offer a conservative, even Christian, view – these are all viable ways of making it clear: the Christian conservative voice will not be stifled. If the left-leaning, largely secular media is allowed to control the messaging and dominate the online social media world, the only voices allowed to exist will be those that advance the far left, socialist, Big Government ideas. 10. Artificial intelligence, and How Emerging Technology Feeds the Socialist Beast According to various polls and surveys, most scientists are not only liberals in their politics, but secular in their beliefs. Yet these are the same people who are leading the technological charge in America, across the world? No wonder, then, social media’s artificial intelligence systems lean left and label conservative and Christian views as hateful or discriminatory; the programs, the models, the software are all designed by those with either far leftist or globalist views. But that’s only part of what makes today’s emerging technologies a real threat to freedom-loving Americans in general, and Christian, conservative voices in particular. Some of A.I.’s applications outright flip the Constitution on its head by tossing presumption of innocence standards to the side and treating innocent Americans as if they’re guilty; by giving police the technological power to arrest “criminals” who’ve not yet committed crimes; by allowing government to place surveillance and identification technology in all places public; and more. As if that’s not bad enough, there’s this, from Feng Xiang, a professor of law at Tsinghua University: “More than anything else, the inevitability of mass unemployment [from emerging technologies] and the demand for universal welfare will drive the idea of socializing or nationalizing A.I.,” he said, back in May of 2018. His idea? To use A.I. to reallocate resources – or, as socialists might put it, to spread the wealth. He’s not alone in looking to use A.I. to create social justice on a global scale. Others in this vein of socialist thinking see the need to establish a universal basic income standard for workers who are displaced by technology. The Socialist Party itself sees A.I. as death knell for capitalism. Meanwhile, there’s that whole A.I. movement dedicated to creating its own god – or, at the least, a better breed of humans with godlike technological powers. This is one of the biggest fights Christians and constitutionalists face in the coming years – and it’s going to be the most challenging one to win. In the long-term, Christians need to encourage more of the faithful to enter the fields of science and technology, so that tomorrow’s A.I. experts will be schooled in Bible truths. In the short-term? Christians and conservatives need to first educate themselves on the A.I. threats to faith, individual freedoms and American sovereignty. And second, Christians and conservatives need to stop letting technology take over their own lives – to stop trading the convenience of certain cell phone apps, say, for personal privacies that track geographical movements. With technology, Christians have become just as secular as the world they’re supposed to live in but not of, and if we want to put a stop to runaway technologies that threaten to steal freedoms and bring about a more socialist existence, then it’s the Christian community that has to raise up and raise questions (because the secular world isn’t going to do it). 11. If Malachi Were Here, What Would He Say? In 2016, one Morning Consult poll found that 60 percent of Americans believed America was great and 68 percent said they were proud to be an American. In July 2019, a Gallup poll found that American pride had hit an all-time low – that only 45 percent said they were proud to be American, versus 47 percent in Gallup’s poll of the previous year. And in April 2019, Rasmussen found that Americans, by and large, were feeling better about the future than they had in the previous 12 years of asking that same survey question. The point it: Ask Americans what they feel about America, and the answers will be as different as the polling companies. The only “survey” that really matters is the one from above – the one that rates how a nation and how a nation’s people stand with God. And on that score, maybe it’s arguable: America’s lost its Judeo-Christian way because God has removed His blessings from the country. It’s possible. Surely, this socialism that’s taken root in a nation that was supposed to be dedicated to individual rights first, collectivism second – if at all – hasn’t come by way of chance, or absent God’s knowledge. Or, perhaps, absent God’s influence. Look to Malachi for mulling. Consider these biblical passages: “If you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; indeed I have already cursed them.” Or this: “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’ By saying ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delights in them.’ Or by asking, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Isn’t this what just what we do when things don’t go our way – pretend as if our intents were good and that God, in His injustice, is ignoring our plights or imposing an unfair outcome? Perhaps it’s as Malachi suggests – the curse has already come upon our nation. That would certainly explain how we could move from a nation built by Judeo-Christian principles, fast-tracked to great heights of globally ranked exceptionalism, to a country torn by political and cultural fighting, being pulled ever farther from God, ever closer to Big Government. This chapter looks at the cultural decay we embrace, and the political corruption we accept – from abortion to rated-R sexualized entertainment – from the perspective of biblical teachings, and raises the all-important question: Are we now experiencing, with all this loss of freedom and expansion of socialist governance, the removal of God’s blessings on America? It seems a crucial point to consider, given the obvious solution would lie in its answer. As the Bible also teaches: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will hear their land.” What better way for God to heal a country founded on principles of limited government – than to return the government to a system of limited reach and authority? 12. The Answer is Christianity, and ONLY Christianity There’s a temptation in First Amendment-friendly America for some to embrace religious freedom to the point where Christianity is Islam is Hinduism is Wiccan – where one religion is just as good as another, and that praying to the Christian God is the same as praying to any other god. But here in America, the foundation has always been Judeo-Christian beliefs, as illustrated in the Bible. Treating Christianity as if it’s just another religion, on par with any other is the type of thinking that brings about Satanic Temple statues on government properties, or Satanist “prayers’ to open City Council meetings – or, strict Islamic and sharia principles pushed into our culture and politics. America wasn’t built to be a Christian nation, with a state-run church that dictated Christian principles through the government. But America was indeed built from the bottom up by Europeans fleeing their homes for the pursuit of religious freedom – for the pursuit of Christian religious freedom. America was indeed built by framers who may not have worshipped similarly, or at all, but who nonetheless forged a government based on biblical moral truths, including the idea that humans are fallible (born in Original Sin) – not only Muslim beliefs, or Hindu teachings. The 1993 book, “One Nation Under God: Religion in Contemporary American Society,” reports that in 1776, an estimated 98 percent of colonists were Protestants; the other 2 percent claimed Roman Catholicism as their faith. To the extent that religion influenced our framers, it was Christianity, not any other faith, held in the highest regard. Why it matters is simple: When we speak of America’s greatness coming from the notion that individual rights come from God, not government, it’s important to understand we’re not talking about God, in a general and generic any-religion-goes sense, or the god of Muslims, Allah. We’re talking about the God of the Bible. If this is the God who gave us a country of rights coming from God, not government – this is the only God who can keep our moral compass and political world in the proper places. The solution for a country that’s stretched into socialism and lost its concept of God-given rights is to reel back government and return God – the proper God – to the helm. Only Christianity can win this war against socialism in America; only Christians can effectively fight to return the nation to its moral, virtuous, principled society of limited governance and individual freedom. 13. Inspiring Acts of Courage, Both Big and Small This chapter looks at real life examples of people who’ve stood strong for America, for God, for Judeo-Christian principles, for the Constitution and limited government and capitalism – and in so doing, have won. The fight to control America’s moral compass and reel in an ever-expanding and corrupt government has been long and wearying, often futile and overwhelming. And no matter who wins the White House, regardless of which political party takes control of the House and Senate – or of which political party holds the leadership positions in state and local governments – fact is, the fight is far from finished. The sneaky socialist seepage into America’s culture and politics will continue far into the future. So, as motivation for the long haul, this chapter looks at instances where Christians and conservatives and other patriotic Americans with love of the Constitution and limits on government have stood against strong secular, socialist, Big Government forces in recent times – and won. An example? When far-left anti-gun politicians in Washington passed sweeping new restrictions on semi-automatic rifles – despite clear court guidance that called such restrictions unconstitutional – sheriffs in a dozen counties around the state rose up and said: We’re not enforcing that. As Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones explained: “I swore an oath to defend our citizens and their constitutionally protected rights. I do not believe the popular vote overrules that.” Another example? When a Satanic Temple member won the court right to open a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting in Alaska with a “Hail, Satan” invocation, a dozen of the region’s governing officials walked out, while dozens in the community rallied outside the building, holding signs that said, “reject Satan and his works” and “know Jesus and his love” – showing in the process that court rulings cannot compel hearts to obey. Sometimes, even the smallest of gestures, the tiniest of principled stands, can nevertheless pack big punches. As Ecclesiastes teaches, the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. This chapter wraps on a positive note, giving readers the sense that yes, America may be in the throes of determining its government of the future, and debating the idea of more socialism versus a return to democratic-republicanism – but that if Christians in particular and patriots in general keep plugging away and fighting effectively, the country can and will see a widespread return to the God-given.

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Book SynopsisAt a time when the values of Catholic Ireland are so often viewed in a negative, even hostile, light, Mary Kenny?s approach is a balanced and measured recollection of the Ireland of our times - and of times past, since the foundation of the Irish state a hundred years ago. She focuses on the people and personalities involved in our social history, seeing Ireland from 1922 to 2022 through their stories, and the events in which they were involved. Yes, there have been stark failings in Irish society, involving the position and power of the Catholic church, and these must be honestly described. Yet our values, our heritage, our own family members also included many kind, intelligent and patriotic people doing their best, who built up the Irish state from a fragile beginning. Mary interweaves some of her own life-experiences, and the people she knew into this complex portrait of Irish life providing a stimulating, informative and enjoyable read.

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