Religion and the Politics of Tolerance: How Christianity Builds Democracy

by Marie A. Eisenstein

Overview

Challenging a widespread belief that religious people are politically intolerant, Marie Ann Eisenstein offers compelling evidence to the contrary. In this surprising and significant book, she thoroughly re-examines previous studies and presents new research to support her argument that there is, in fact, a positive correlation between religious belief and practice and political tolerance in the United States. Eisenstein utilizes sophisticated new analytical tools to re-evaluate earlier data and offers persuasive new statistical evidence to support her claim that religiousness and political tolerance do, indeed, mix—and that religiosity is not the threat to liberal democracy that it is often made out to be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781932792843
Publisher:	Baylor University Press
Publication date:	01/15/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	195
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.57(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Marie A. Eisenstein (Ph.D. Purdue University) is Assistant Professor of Political Science in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs-Political Science, Indiana University Northwest.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 The Politics of Tolerance

2 Christian Political Tolerance in Contemporary America

3 What Do Christian Congregants Say about Themselves?

4 Issue Attitudes, Religion, and Political Tolerance

5 Political Intolerance: Is It Really not about Religion?

Appendices

A Survey

B Focus Group Session Script

C "Your Help Is Needed" Flier

D Phone Script

E Informed Consent Statement

F Political Attitudes Questionnaire

Notes

References

Index

What People are Saying About This

Professor Eisenstein has provided a valuable addition to the literature on political tolerance. She demonstrates theoretical sophistication and methodological innovation as she modifies our understanding of the relationship between religion and tolerance. This is an important book.

Ted G. Jelen

Professor Eisenstein has provided a valuable addition to the literature on political tolerance. She demonstrates theoretical sophistication and methodological innovation as she modifies our understanding of the relationship between religion and tolerance. This is an important book.

Editorial Reviews

Eisenstein has made a promising contribution to the growing literature on religion and politics in the US... Recommended. General readers and undergraduate students.

CHOICE