Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Local government
|
Not currently available
Local Baptists Local Politics - Churches Communities (Hardcover)
Loot Price: R840
Discovery Miles 8 400
|
|
Local Baptists Local Politics - Churches Communities (Hardcover)
Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available.
|
"This meticulously researched study reveals how the localism
inherent among Baptists carries over into political attitudes and
involvement. Grammich's 'bible-based' Baptist sectarians also show
how diverse Baptists really are and how strong and enduring a
social ethic many smaller Baptist groups have cultivated."--Charles
H. Lippy, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
This provocative book explores the political views and actions of
religious adherents who claim to base their faith on a literal
interpretation of the Bible. Focusing on several small Baptist
sects scattered throughout the middle and uplands South, Clifford
Grammich finds that these groups are often highly engaged
politically at the local level. He thus challenges the traditional
view of these Baptists as politically aloof, concerned only with
matters of faith and personal conduct.
Grammich shows that the politics arising from these groups'
religious beliefs are not those of any consistent, pervasive
ideology. Rather, he argues, such politics more often reflect a
series of adaptations to local circumstances. Among the sects that
he studies, there is a strong emphasis on the local authority to
interpet the Bible and, thus, to shape religious commands to very
specific conditions. Beyond the broad concerns of preserving the
traditional family and curbing excessive worldliness, these
Baptists are free to adapt their theology to meet their particular
needs--and can often do so more readily than those belonging to
more hierarchical churches. Since these people are typically more
rural, more southern, less educated, and less affluent than most
Americans, the author notes, they can face special problems in
dealing with modernity--problems that their religion helps them
address.
The book includes two case studies that show in depth both the
possiblities and limitations of politics within these groups. In a
local labor struggle in Tennessee, Baptist sectarians were able to
generate more religious support for a United Mine Workers local
than was offered by the usual supporters of organized labor in
other churches. On the other hand, in an environmental conflict in
Kentucky, these Baptists' traditional community concerns inhibited
their participation in a broader reform movement.
Relating the beliefs and actions of the "local Baptists" to various
larger themes--including those of cultural traditionalism, economic
populism, and increasing affluence--Grammich offers a valuable
study of the complex ways in which religious faith can affect
political involvement. His book will effect a new understanding of
American fundamentalism itself.
The Author: Clifford A. Grammich Jr. is director of research at
Heartland Center, a social research institute in Hammond, Indiana.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
|
You might also like..
|
Email address subscribed successfully.
A activation email has been sent to you.
Please click the link in that email to activate your subscription.