Religion and the American future / editors, Christopher DeMuth, Yuval Levin.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

DeMuth, Christopher C.

Levin, Yuval.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion--Forecasting.

Religion.

United States--Religion.

United States.

Physical Description:

viii, 273 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : AEI Press ; Blue Ridge Summit, PA : Distributed to the trade by National Book Network, [2008]

Summary:

Religious belief is thriving in America today, even though it seems under assault as seldom before-attacked by secularists, scientists, and increasingly vocal atheists; constrained by judges and civil libertarians; mocked by contemporary artists; and treated pragmatically, if not cynically, by politicians seeking votes. This book explores the enduring strength of religion in American life. Faith and religious observance are not obsolete or incompatible with modern society; on the contrary, the religious principles that guided the Founders continue to bind the nation and justify human endeavor. In Religion and the American Future, a distinguished group of scholars examine the future of religion in America. Michael Novak, John C. Green, Leon R. Kass, Douglas W. Kmiec, Roger Kimball, and Marcello Pera contemplate in turn the relationship of religion to the dominant secular realms of politics, science, law, and art. They argue that the religious and the secular realms should construct a mutual and productive understanding; that faith-based voting is not the threat it often seems; that science cannot answer humanity's deepest moral inquiries; and that the United States Constitution presupposes the existence of God. The volume concludes with an instructive look at Europe and the troubling implications of turning away from religious belief altogether. Religion and the American Future is a lively, learned dialogue on the role of religion in American society. The contributors raise their voices in opposition to the tide of cynicism and constraint that often overwhelms religion in public life and argue that tolerance, respect, and free expression must define the future of religion in America. Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction: Religion and the American future / Yuval Levin

Religion and secularism

The end of the secular age / Michael Novak

A response to Michael Novak / Roger Scruton

Brief comments / Irving Kristol and Peter Berkowitz

Religion and politics

The faith-based vote in the United States : a look toward the future / John C. Green

Commentary / Christopher DeMuth and Joseph Bottom

Religion and science

Permanent tensions, transcendent prospects / Leon R. Kass

A response to Leon R. Kass / David Gelernter

Commentary / Stephen M. Barr

Religion and the law

Religious freedom and the truth of the human person / Douglas W. Kmiec

A response to Douglas W. Kmiec / Michael Greve

Commentary / Kevin J. "Seamus" Hasson

Religion and art

The vocation of art / Roger Kimball

A response to Roger Kimball / Charles Murray

Commentary / Joseph Bottom, Lee Harris, and Leon R. Kass

The view from Europe

Europe without God and Europeans without identity / Marcello Pera

A response to Marcello Pera / Michael Novak

Commentary / Robert Royal and Lee Harris.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780844742595

0844742597

OCLC:

191758364