Between heaven and Russia : religious conversion and political apostasy in Appalachia / Sarah Riccardi-Swartz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Riccardi-Swartz, Sarah, author.

Series:

Orthodox Christianity and contemporary thought.

Orthodox Christianity and contemporary thought

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Russkai︠a︡ pravoslavnai︠a︡ t︠s︡erkovʹ.

Christianity and politics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (305 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Fordham University Press, [2022]

Summary:

"How is religious conversion transforming American democracy? In one corner of Appalachia, a group of American citizens has embraced the Russian Orthodox Church and through it Putin's New Russia. Historically a minority immigrant faith in the United States, Russian Orthodoxy is attracting Americans who look to Russian religion and politics for answers to western secularism and the loss of traditional family values in the face of accelerating progressivism. This ethnography highlights an intentional community of converts who are exemplary of much broader networks of Russian Orthodox converts in the US. These converts sought and found a conservatism more authentic than Christian American Republicanism and a nationalism unburdened by the broken promises of American exceptionalism. Ultimately, both converts and the Church that welcomes them deploy the subversive act of adopting the ideals and faith of a foreign power for larger, transnational political ends. Offering insights into this rarely considered religious world, including its far-right political roots that nourish the embrace of Putin's Russia, this ethnography shows how religious conversion is tied to larger issues of social politics, allegiance, (anti)democracy, and citizenship. These conversions offer us a window onto both global politics and foreign affairs, while also allowing us to see how particular communities in the U.S. are grappling with social transformations in the twenty-first century. With broad implications for our understanding of both conservative Christianity and right-wing politics, as well as contemporary Russian-American relations, this book provides insight in the growing constellations of far-right conservatism. While Russian Orthodox converts are more likely to form the moral minority rather than the moral majority, they are an important gauge for understanding the powerful philosophical shifts occurring in the current political climate in the United States and what they might mean for the future of American values, ideals, and democracy"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Series Page

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Preface

List of Abbreviations and Terms

Introduction. East of Appalachia: The New Russian Turn in American Christianity

1. Foreign Faith in a Foreign Land: A Discursive History of the Russian Orthodox Church in the United States

2. Church of God: Traditionalism, Authenticity, and Conversion to Russian Orthodoxy in Appalachia

3. America the Beautiful: Of Guns, God, and Vodka

4. Port of the Tsar: Material Monarchism and the End of Days

5. Palace of Putin: Political Ideologies in Orthodox Appalachia

6. A People Set Apart: Intra-Community Politics and Regionalism

7. The "Holler Feast": Spiritual Geographies and Temporalities

Conclusion. In Soviet America, Russia Converts You!

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

Notes

Works Cited

Index

About Author

Series List.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780823299522

082329952X

OCLC:

1300918014