Is the "private" experience of religion counterproductive to engagement in public life? Does the "public" experience of religion contribute anything distinctive to civic engagement? Pews; Prayers; and Participation offers a fresh approach to key questions about what role religion plays in fostering civic responsibility in contemporary American society. Written by five prominent scholars of religion and politics; led by Calvin College's Corwin Smidt; the book brilliantly articulates how religion shapes participation in a range of civic activities―from behaviors (such as membership in voluntary associations; volunteering; and charitable contributions) to capacities (such as civic skills and knowledge); to virtues (such as law-abidingness; tolerance; and work ethic).In the course of their study the authors examine whether an individual exhibits a diminished; a privatized; a public; or an integrated form of religious expression; based on the individual's level of participation in both the public (worship) or private (prayer) dimensions of religious life. They question whether the privatization of religious life is counterproductive to engagement in public life; and they show that religion does indeed play a significant role in fostering civic responsibility across each of its particular facets.Pews; Prayers; and Participation is a bold and provocative clarion call to the continuing importance and changing nature of religion in American public life. It will be of particular interest to students and scholars of religion and politics; and culture and politics; as well as general readers with an interest in the impact of religion in the public sphere.
#82550 in Books 2012-10-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 6.00 x 1.25l; 1.13 #File Name: 1586175572312 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Noble TreasonBy BwhamiThis is third book on Sophie Scholl and the White Rose I have read in the past year. It is well written and well researched. The White Rose was a small organization of students who defied the Nazi government by printing a series of six leaflets exposing the truth about the Nazi's. We are given a lot of back story on the various members of the group and they met and formed their plans. The book also mentions a like between the Whiter Rose and another group of resistors called the Red Orchestra; by the Gestapo. The reason I have enjoyed the story of the White Rose is because it tells us a little known story that took place during the War. That some Germans risked their lives to defy Hitler and did what they could to try to let people know the truth about what was really going on in Germany. I would also recommend the German film Sophie Scholl the Last Five days. I recommend this book.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An Inspirational StoryBy Michael E. MartinThe first edition of this book was published in 1979 and yet it still has a timely and inspiring message. While so many books about World War II examine the battles and politics; few examine them from the eyes of young adults whoose heroics were not on the battlefield but in their thoughts and convictions. When you read about the members of the White Rose; the reaction is to think how you might have responded to tyranny at such a young age.I think the book describes the personality and character of the White Rose members in insightful detail. While the story of the White Rose is not particularly complex;the people who made up the organization were.In the US now there certainly is nothing comparable to what people faced in Nazi Germany and thus one might consider this book just an interesting record of history. Yet I found the story to be inspiring and a good point of reference when dealing with the relatively minor challenges we now deal with. So many people simply make the best of what they can from the situation they are in. It is the rare person who tries and risks everything to improve the situation.This is a good read. It is well worth your time and money.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. That's proof of a well loved book!By EmilyI wish I could give this book ten stars. I underlined numerous passages on each page; made notes in the margins; dog eared pages; and have taken it on trips; hence the slightly bent cover and pages. That's proof of a well loved book!! Eloquently written; it presented the true story of Hans and Sophie Scholl's revolt against Nazi tyranny in a beautiful; thoughtful way that caused tears at times. I love this book so much.
