Suchergebnisse

World War II was a turning point in twentieth-century American history, and its effects on American society have been studied from virtually every conceivable historical angle. Until now, though, the role of religion--an important aspect of life on the home front--has essentially been overlooked. In ###A Cautious Patriotism#, Gerald Sittser addresses this omission. He examines the issues raised by World War II in light of the reactions they provoked among Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Unitarians, and members of other Christian denominations. In the process, he enriches our understanding.

Sittser reviews 'Just War: Principles and Causes' by Richard J. Regan.

The noise is deafening, the scurry confusing. The ''public square,'' far from being ''naked,'' is teeming with activity, much of it explicitly Christian. Christian groups in America today can no longer be accused of ignoring public life and spurning politics. The problem is no longer neglect, as it once might have been, but disagreement, dissension, and bewilderment. A growing number of Christians in America now believe that their faith must shape public life. But many are not sure how. The cacophony of voices complicates the problem. Sincere Christians, claiming the Bible for infallible support, often come down on opposite sides of such contemporary issues as abortion, creationism in the classroom, prayer in public schools, and Latin American politics. Moreover, their theoretical views of the relationship between Christianity and public life often differ sharply from each other. While Christian activists debate each other, def end their own positions, and recruit new members to their organizations, many faithful members of local churches stand on the sidewalks of the public square, listen to the debate, and wonder whom they can trust and what they should believe. The proper relationship between religion and public life has become enormously complex in modern American society.