PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Mark A. Smith is professor of political science and adjunct professor of comparative religions at the University of Washington. He is the author of two books: The Right Talk: How Conservatives Transformed the Great Society into the Economic Society and American Business and Political Power: Public Opinion, Elections, and Democracy.
Has culture driven changes to the Christian faith and adjusted its tenets? Smith argues that this is the case. . . . His arguments and critique of Christianity will arouse discussion in many contexts. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College Catholic Library World (12/30/2015 12:00:00 AM) Mark Smith's new book couldn't be timelier. By charting the political development of five contentious issues in American history--slavery, divorce, homosexuality, abortion and women's rights--he argues that U.S. Christians today have more in common morally and politically with atheists than with their Christian predecessors in previous centuries. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College Isthmus (4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM) Smith show[s], over and over again, on issue after issue, that religious leaders have changed their tune on almost every subject to accommodate more sweeping changes taking place in broader American society. . . . Smith is after something bigger than just thumbing his nose at those who claim to have The Answer. Instead, [he] wants Americans to take a step back from the culture wars. He wants us to realize that, despite apocalyptic pronouncements that Americans are more polarized than ever before, we actually agree on quite a bit. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College Chicago Tribune (9/14/2015 12:00:00 AM) Far from holding fast to traditions and principles, religion, like everything else, changes to meet the times. Smith adds to our understanding of America's presumed culture wars by showing how often this has happened in our history. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College A beautifully written and richly substantive book that convincingly explodes conventional wisdom. On an array of issues, from slavery to divorce, homosexuality, and women's rights, Smith's exhaustive research clearly shows that the doctrines of America's major religious traditions have shifted to conform with contemporary societal norms. Readers will learn much from this book--even those who already consider themselves familiar with one or more of the issues it explores. --David Campbell, University of Notre Dame [The book] develops a bold, original thesis--one bound to stir debate and contention. All students of the American culture wars should read Secular Faith. The debate it provokes will help us think more sharply about the complex relationship between American Christianity and culture. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College Journal of Church and State (4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM) Secular Faith is a spirited and contrarian entry in the debate over what to make of the religious element of the 'culture wars.' Against the view that religion is a major influence on our politics, Smith sets out to show, as his subtitle puts it, 'how culture has trumped religion.' To make his case, he draws on sources ranging from the statements of religious leaders to the scholarly literature on Christianity in America and public-opinion survey research. Throughout, he strives to be attentive not only to what Christians are saying but also to what they are choosing not to talk about. --Alan Wolfe, Boston College Wall Street Journal (4/25/2016 12:00:00 AM)
