Christianity and American Democracy (Alexis De Tocqueville Lectures in American Politics) (The Alexis de Tocqueville Lectures in American Politics) - Hardcover

Hugh Heclo; Mary Jo Bane; Michael Kazin; Alan Wolfe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0674025148 ISBN 13: 9780674025141

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2007

Synopsis

Christianity has been important for American democracy. This book offers a view of how Christianity and democracy have shaped each other. It shows that amid deeply felt religious differences, a Protestant colonial society gradually convinced itself of the truly Christian reasons for, and the enlightened political advantages of, religious liberty.

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Review:

[A] deeply engaging book...Heclo's book performs a valuable service.--Thomas E. Schneider"Claremont Review of Books" (06/01/2008)

Synopsis:

Christianity, not religion in general, has been important for American democracy. With this bold thesis, Hugh Heclo offers a panoramic view of how Christianity and democracy have shaped each other. Heclo shows that amid deeply felt religious differences, a Protestant colonial society gradually convinced itself of the truly Christian reasons for, as well as the enlightened political advantages of, religious liberty. By the mid-20th century, American democracy and Christianity appeared locked in a mutual embrace. But it was a problematic union vulnerable to fundamental challenge in the Sixties. Despite the subsequent rise of the religious right and glib talk of a conservative Republican theocracy, Heclo sees a longer-term, reciprocal estrangement between Christianity and American democracy. Responding to his challenging argument, Mary Jo Bane, Michael Kazin, and Alan Wolfe criticize, qualify, and amend it. Heclo's rejoinder suggests why both secularists and Christians should worry about a coming rupture between the Christian and democratic faiths. The result is a lively debate about a momentous tension in American public life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0674025148
• ISBN 13: 9780674025141
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 312