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Martin E. Marty

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Politics, Religion, and the Common Good Hardcover – January 1, 2000

by Martin E. Marty (Author), Jonathan Moore (Author)

4.8 3 ratings

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The future of America, in many ways, depends upon an understanding of the proper role of religion in our shared life as a republic. Discussions and debates on the topic have too often generated noise, platitudes, stereotypes, name-calling, and the distortion of vitally important issues, instead of constructive conversation among citizens--until now.

Of all the voices commenting about American religion today, none is more credible or better known than that of historian Martin E. Marty. A respected scholar, author, editor, and media commentator, he has-perhaps better than anyone else in the field-a deep grasp on the complex issues surrounding public religion.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Ordained minister and esteemed author Martin E. Marty examines the sensitive role of religion in contemporary U.S. government and politics in this slender but brave book. Marty has never been afraid of controversy or dialog, and this book is guaranteed to spark both. "We offer the following theses to stimulate conversation, and we expect--and welcome--agreement and disagreement alike," writes Marty. He then launches into statements such as, "Public religion can be dangerous; it should be handled with care.... Traditional institutions--congregations, denominations, and ecumenical agencies--provide an effective public voice for religious people, but the political power of such groups has declined."

In his opening chapter Marty explains the perils of integrating religion into the fray of politics--such as the potential for fundamental extremism and religious violence. But in his second chapter, "Worth the Risk," he delves into a persuasive argument for blending church and state, with assertions such as "religion can combat apathy" and "religious people can provide a voice for the voiceless." In follow-up chapters Marty discusses ways that religion can meld with government and how it could actually improve the quality of civic representation. The writing style is smooth and journalistic in tone (Marty is also a senior editor at Christian Century), yet the material represents an expansive vision and shows an obvious depth.

From Publishers Weekly

Marty, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago and senior editor of Christian Century magazine, argues that religion can contribute to the common good but it can also be dangerous and must be approached with caution. According to Marty, citizens who are inspired by their religious beliefs to do good can improve the nation as a whole, although religious institutions no longer have the political cachet they once possessed. He believes that religion can be divisive, disruptive and even violent but asserts that it is nonetheless key to the well-being of the nation. Religion can provide a "voice for the voiceless," give people strength during a crisis, counteract excessive individualism and energize people who might otherwise be politically apathetic. Marty notes that religiously motivated individuals need not wait for their church to catch up to their political commitments: civil rights activists, he suggests, were inspired by religious convictions to protest Jim Crow long before official church bodies agreed that segregation and disenfranchisement were un-Christian. In this election year, readers will find especially relevant Marty's exploration of the tensions between America's separation of church and state and Americans' desire for our leaders, especially our president, to be religious. This book offers a balanced and thoughtful contribution to the ongoing conversation about faith and the public sphere. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Marty, senior editor of Christian Century and professor emeritus at the University of Chicago School of Divinity, examines the relationship of religion and politics. He feels that the voice of religion still has an important part to play in the culture. Marty enumerates clearly what public religion has to offer in terms of perspective, commitment, and concern for the voiceless segments of society. He points out that religion is not going to go away, that most people are still formed and mobilized by faith, and that traditional religious institutions have powerful political influence today. In addition, he says, religious special-interest groups are flourishing. Marty encourages all religious groups to join in the political conversations of the community. His book is readable and thought-provoking, and his analysis always brings a creative perspective and moral challenge to all sides in the debate. Recommended for academic and public libraries.
-C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, IN
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

In a thoughtful antidote to the arguments that usually dominate discussions of politics and religion, Marty (The One and Many, 1997, etc.) here invites us instead to enter into a conversation about the relationship between the two.Enacted in the wake of centuries of religious controversy and oppression, the Constitution mandates separation of church and state and assures free exercise of religion. The tension between the two principles spawns endless political controversy and litigation, however, and private faith continually spills over into the public realm, often affecting elections and driving public debate on such issues as abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment. But should religion have any place in our public life? Marty says yes: indeed, he finds it hard to think of any descriptions, definitions, or citations or profound elements in politics and government that are not somehow religious. Recognizing the controversial nature of any discussion of politics and religion, and welcoming anticipated disagreement, Marty makes several claims about public religion. He acknowledges that public religion presents dangers to the civil order (ranging from intolerance to religiously motivated violence), but points to the public good done by such religious forces as the Salvation Army and Martin Luther King as evidence of the benign influence of religion on public life. Marty also claims that individuals energized by an awareness of possibilities based on religious beliefs can provide hope for improving the republic, and he observes that religious people have exercised an effective political voice through both traditional institutions and religious special-interest groups and voluntary organizations. Not all readers will agree with Martys insightful reflections on the relationship between politics and religion, but his essay is a useful starting point for anyone interested in the role of religion in Americas public life. -- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"Who better than Martin Marty, ultimate analyzer of American religion, to help us all sort out the confusion around politics and religion?" (James M. Dunn, professor of Christianity and public policy, Wake Forest Divinity School)

From the Inside Flap

"'Public religion' is not a top-down, worked-out, authoritative concept. It is the result of the very complex strivings and questionings of a couple of hundred million citizens. How it is realized in contemporary life depAnds on the quality of the questioning, the clarity of people's expression, and the seriousness of their resolve as individual citizens." from Politics, Religion, and the Common Good Religion has always been part of American public debate. The values in which our culture is entrenched have been, since their inception, created and shaped directly from a religious moral sensibility. Unfortunately, too many of us cede our voices without realizing the implications of silence. It's the need for each individual's voice that lies at the heart of this groundbreaking investigation into religion's role in the political arena; Martin Marty, acclaimed scholar and frequent commentator on American religion, encourages each person to speak out to engage in thoughtful, productive dialogue, and to take stands that are morally based. He skillfully interweaves decades of his own insights with conversations with both lay people and nationally recognized experts in various fields, creating a robust and complex look at the problems and, ultimately, the potential for religion's future in the public sphere. This landmark work is the first of a two-volume set that will explore the promise and challenge of public religion. These works are intAnded not as the last word on the subject; rather, the author hopes to initiate a national conversation-providing a guided tour of public religion in America, even-handedly exploring the role religion has played, is playing, and could play in our life together as a nation. BACK FLAP: [head] What is Religion's Proper Role in Our Shared Life? The future of America, in many ways, depends upon an understanding of the proper role of religion in our shared life as a republic. Discussions and debates on the topic have too

From the Back Cover

In this insightful book, Marty covers a wealth of vital issues about the state of the politics and religion, including: the case often made against public religion; how public religion affects the common good; the ways in which the individual citizen is formed by faith; the declining political power of traditional institutions; the flourishing of religious special interest groups; and how to move questions of public religion from argument to conversation.

About the Author

MARTIN E. MARTY is the author of more than fifty books, including the five-volume The Fundamentalisms Project and the three-volume Modern American Religion. He is professor emeritus at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he received his Ph.D. and taught for thirty-five years. An ordained minister, he is senior editor of the weekly Christian Century, a frequent media commentator on American religion, and the recipient of sixty-four honorary degrees.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jossey-Bass Inc Pub; 1st edition (January 1, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0787950319
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0787950316
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,311,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,093 in Church & State Religious Studies
- #5,292 in History of Religion & Politics
- #28,120 in Political Science (Books)

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Anthony G Pizza

Religion, Politics Discussed Civilly In Martin Marty Book

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2004

Theologian/professor Martin Marty begins this important, well researched book speaking of President Clinton confessing, "I have sinned," to a body of clergy at a White House religious leaders' breakfast. Marty cites this as a notable enough blurring of public and private religious practice, considering the still recent history of Clinton's adultery, perjury, and subsequent impeachment.

But the date- September 11, 1998 -only recalls the same date three years later when worldwide religious and political ends met with unspeakable horror in New York City, Washington, DC and rural Pennsylvania. Although written before 9-11 and George W. Bush's election, "Politics, Religion, and the Common Good," is a timely, cautionary study of how faith-filled people should dialogue in American public life.

The book grew from the Public Religion Project, organized by Professor Marty at the University of Chicago where he has taught and chaired for 35 years. It was the first of a two-part paper drawing from sponsored conversations to "promote efforts and bring to light and interpret the forces of faith in a pluralistic society."

Marty's writing style (he wrote the book with Jonathan Moore) is scholarly and objective (if a bit aloof) and his approach thorough. He examines benefits religious foundation brings to public debate through churchgoer, interest group, congregation, denomination. He consistently demonstrates the blurry line dividing church and state in everything from tax law to historic preservation to faith-based efforts combating homelessness, hunger, abortion and war. But he also acknowledges political factions dividing religious groups, who often point to the same scriptures to justify their opposing ends.

Marty also invokes history to prove his points. He shows the roots of "separation of church and state," showing how founding fathers James Madison and Thomas Jefferson interpreted a phrase which influenced American law without being included in even one of its key documents. He also discusses unity of religion in the rise of the ecumenical movement, its attempts at social change and the politics it requires for unity.

You wish Marty could have written the entire book with the panache and passion of his final chapter, where he urges people of faith to join the national debate and let their voices be civilly heard to solve problems. Yet, despite some obtuse prose, "Politics, Religion, and the Common Good," is a quick-reading level-setting volume introducing players and playbook in faith-based political debate. Worthwhile reading in an election year based on ideology, and highly recommended.

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