Religion and the American Presidency: George Washington to George W. Bush with Commentary and Primary Sources (Columbia Series in Religion and Politics) (Columbia Series on Religion and Politics) - Softcover

Espinosa, Gaston

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0231143338 ISBN 13: 9780231143332

Publisher: Columbia University Press, 2009

Synopsis

This book challenges the idea that the mixing of religion and presidential politics is a new phenomenon. It explores how presidents have drawn on their religious upbringing, rhetoric, ideas, and beliefs to promote their domestic and foreign policies to the nation. This influence is evident in Washington's decision to add "so help me God" to the presidential oath, accusations by Adam's supporters that Jefferson was an infidel, Lincoln's biblical metaphors during the Civil War, and FDR's call to fight against Nazi totalitarianism on behalf of Judeo-Christian civilization. It is also apparent in Truman's support for Israel, Eisenhower's Cold War decision to add "In God We Trust" on American currency, the debate over JFK's Catholicism, Jimmy Carter's born-again Christianity, Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech, Clinton's public repentance, and George W. Bush's "crusade" against Islamic terrorists. This volume explores these issues of religion and power in the presidencies of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, Carter, Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush through scholarly interpretations, primary sources, and illustrations.

About this title

Review:

This interesting book balances presidential professions of faith with acknowledgment of private sins and the objections of nonbelievers to explicit religious demonstrations in public life.--Rich Barlow "Boston Globe "

Among its strengths is the inclusion of a considerable amount of newsworthy material for the thirteen presidents whose religious views are examined.--Al Menendez "Voice of Reason "

Immediately, one can imagine the value of this book in attempts to teach undergraduates something about religion and politics in American history.--Kansas History

Synopsis:

Beginning with George Washington and ending with George W. Bush, Gaston Espinosa explores the influence of religion on the American presidency, especially with regard to the formation of domestic and foreign policy. The fine line between allowing and endorsing religious expression has always been problematic for the president. From John Adams, whose supporters accused Thomas Jefferson of being an atheist and an infidel, to Carter and Reagan, who were both very vocal about their faith, American presidents have had to make a place for their religion, or lack thereof, somewhere between the poles of church and state. Focusing on the religious upbringing and political careers of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and George H. W. and George W. Bush, this volume demonstrates how presidents of all parties have injected or invoked religion in their policies. Contributors are experts in their chosen presidents, and they build their history from a wealth of primary-source materials (speeches, letters, proclamations, and other documents).Espinosa adds photos and two primary-source speeches/autobiographical entries to each chapter and concludes with a bibliography.

The interdisciplinary and unbiased approach of this collection reveals the undeniable influence of the clergy and religious symbols, traditions, values, and rhetoric on these presidents' intruging legacies.

About this edition

• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0231143338
• ISBN 13: 9780231143332
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 528