Description
Book SynopsisFaith and Politics in America explores the period from 1607 to the American Civil War. This book addresses the role of religion in the political process in early America, the extent to which religion influenced eighteenth century politicians and decision-makers, and how the founding fathers used religion in laying the foundations for a fair and just constitution. It also explores the meaning of the separation of church and state in the mind of many of the great political actors and thinkers in America in the early and late federal period and their views on traditional Christianity. The book traces how religion contributed to the success of subsequent political leaders, such as the founders of the Whig and Democratic parties, who claimed to be religious or to be adherents of a certain faith and who used religion as a guide to execute policies; and the role of religious faith in arguments over the institution of slavery before and during the Civil War. While exploring these topics
Table of ContentsContents: Joseph Prud’homme: Introduction – John Turner: Colonial Religion and the True Revolution in Virginia – Joseph Prud’homme: Rev. Thomas Bray, Colonial Maryland, and the Role of Religion in Public Life – Stephen Strehle: Jefferson’s Opposition to the Judeo-Christian Tradition – Garrett Sheldon: Religion in the Thought of James Madison – Gary Smith: John Quincy Adams and a Republic of Virtue – Dawn Hutchinson: Slavery in America: An Institution Defined by Faith – Joseph Prud’homme: Evangelical Ministers in the Antebellum South and Guilt over Slavery: The Incoherence of Evangelical Pro-Slavery Thought.
