Christian Clergy in American Politics

by Crawford, Sue E. S.; Olson, Laura R.

• ISBN13: 9780801867040
• ISBN10: 0801867045
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-17
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

In recent decades, Christian clergy have ever more frequently had to decide whether to become involved in politics. When they do become involved, their influence can be substantial. In this book Sue E. S. Crawford, Laura R. Olson, and their coauthors explore the political choices clergy make and the consequences of these choices. Drawing on personal interviews and statistical data to place the actions of clergy in both their religious and secular contexts, the authors study mainline and evangelical Protestant, Catholic, and Mennonite communities. They examine the role of white, African American, and female religious leaders. And they address issues of local development, city government, and national and international politics. Contributors: Christi J. Braun, Boston University School of Law ? Timothy A. Byrnes, Colgate University ? James C. Cavendish, University of South Florida ? Sue E. S. Crawford, Creighton University ? Katie Day, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia ? Melissa M. Deckman, Washington College ? Paul A. Djupe, Denison University ? Joel S. Fetzer, Central Michigan University ? James L. Guth, Furman University ? Ted G. Jelen, University of Nevada-Las Vegas ? Laura R. Olson, Clemson University ? James M. Penning, Calvin College ? Mary R. Sawyer, Iowa State University ? Corwin E. Smidt, Calvin College

Author Biography

Sue E. S. Crawford is an assistant professor of political science and international studies at Creighton University. Laura R. Olson is an assistant professor of political science at Clemson University. She is author or coauthor of Filled with the Spirit and Power: Protestant Clergy in Politics, The Religious Dimension of Political Behavior, and Religion and Politics in America.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	vii
Preface	ix
I INTRODUCTION
Clergy in Politics: Political Choices and Consequences	3	(12)
Laura R. Olson
Sue E. S. Crawford
Notes for a Theory of Clergy as Political Leaders	15	(15)
Ted G. Jelen
Reflections on the Status of Research on Clergy in Politics	30	(17)
James L. Guth
II POLITICAL CHOICES
Gender and the Political Choices of Women Clergy	47	(19)
Sue E. S. Crawford
Melissa M. Deckman
Christi J. Braun
Theocratic, Prophetic, and Ecumenical: Political Roles of African American Clergy	66	(19)
Mary R. Sawyer
The Construction of Political Strategies among African American Clergy	85	(19)
Katie Day
Clergy as Political Actors in Urban Contexts	104	(16)
Sue E. S. Crawford
Laura R. Olson
American Church or Church in America? The Politics of Catholic Bishops in Comparative Perspective	120	(19)
Timothy A. Byrnes
The Mobilization of a Religious Elite: Political Activism among Southern Baptist Clergy in 1996	139	(18)
James L. Guth
Reformed Preachers in Politics	157	(20)
James M. Penning
Corwin E. Smidt
III POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES
Shaping Pacifism: The Role of the Local Anabaptist Pastor	177	(11)
Joel S. Fetzer
Cardinal O'Connor and His Constituents: Differential Benefits and Public Evaluations	188	(15)
Paul A. Djupe
To March or Not to March: Clergy Mobilization Strategies and Grassroots Antidrug Activism	203	(24)
James C. Cavendish
IV CONCLUSION
Choices and Consequences in Context	227	(12)
Sue E. S. Crawford
Laura R. Olson
Notes	239	(14)
References	253	(22)
Contributors	275	(6)
Index	281