The story of the birth of the Religious Right is a familiar one. In the 1970s; mainly in response to Roe v. Wade; evangelicals and conservative Catholics put aside their longstanding historical prejudices and theological differences and joined forces to form a potent political movement that swept across the country. In this provocative book; Neil J. Young argues that almost none of this is true. Young offers an alternative history of the Religious Right that upends these widely-believed myths.Theology; not politics; defined the Religious Right. The rise of secularism; pluralism; and cultural relativism; Young argues; transformed the relations of America's religious denominations. The interfaith collaborations among liberal Protestants; Catholics; and Jews were met by a conservative Christian counter-force; which came together in a loosely bound; politically-minded coalition known as the Religious Right. This right-wing religious movement was made up of Mormons; conservative Catholics; and evangelicals; all of whom were united--paradoxically--by their contempt for the ecumenical approach they saw the liberal denominations taking. Led by the likes of Jerry Falwell; they deemed themselves the "pro-family" movement; and entered full-throated into political debates about abortion; school prayer; the Equal Rights Amendment; gay rights; and tax exemptions for religious schools. They would go on to form a critical new base for the Republican Party. Examining the religious history of interfaith dialogue among conservative evangelicals; Catholics; and Mormons; Young argues that the formation of the Religious Right was not some brilliant political strategy hatched on the eve of a history-altering election but rather the latest iteration of a religious debate that had gone on for decades. This path breaking book will reshape our understanding of the most important religious and political movement of the last 30 years.
#1199815 in Books 2015-11-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.40 x 1.50 x 9.20l; .0 #File Name: 019973898X432 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating and insightful read.By RyanA fascinating and insightful read. A friend suggested I read this book as background on the current political climate in the U.S. A skilled writer; the author made a complex topic easy to understand and digest.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The "Religious" Right; religious used loosely based on their politicsBy EarlIn We Gather Together Neil J. Young presents a view of the Religious Right's beginning from a more nuanced and historically situated perspective.In contemporary debate involving the Religious Right it is often presented as a monolithic entity with but one common direction. While at times this certainly appears to be the case; especially for those in their cross-hairs; it is not really the case. Looking at how these varied denominations; and factions within denominations; came to be at times uneasy allies gives a better understanding of both why they have gained strength in spite of being a minority of the population as well as where the fault lines run within the loose alliance.The writing was very good and kept the pages turning. I would recommend for anyone on either side of the divide the Religious Right has caused in this country. Knowledge is power whether you believe as they do or not; and this book will arm you with knowledge.I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.
