In recent decades, Christian clergy have ever more frequently had to decide whether to become involved in politics. When they do become involved, their influence can be substantial. In this book Sue E. S. Crawford, Laura R. Olson, and their coauthors explore the political choices clergy make and the consequences of these choices. Drawing on personal interviews and statistical data to place the actions of clergy in both their religious and secular contexts, the authors study mainline and evangelical Protestant, Catholic, and Mennonite communities. They examine the role of white, African American, and female religious leaders. And they address issues of local development, city government, and national and international politics. Contributors: Christi J. Braun, Boston University School of Law Timothy A. Byrnes, Colgate University James C. Cavendish, University of South Florida Sue E. S. Crawford, Creighton University Katie Day, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia Melissa M. Deckman, Washington College Paul A. Djupe, Denison University Joel S. Fetzer, Central Michigan University James L. Guth, Furman University Ted G. Jelen, University of Nevada-Las Vegas Laura R. Olson, Clemson University James M. Penning, Calvin College Mary R. Sawyer, Iowa State University Corwin E. Smidt, Calvin College
Contents:
List of Tables Preface
PART I: INTRODUCTION 1 Clergy in Politics: Political Choices and Consequences Laura R. Olson and Sue E. S. Crawford 2 Notes for a Theory of Clergy as Political Leaders Ted G. Jelen 3 Reflections on the Status of Research on Clergy in Politics James L. Guth
PART II: POLITICAL CHOICES 4 Gender and Political Choices of Women Clergy Sue E.S. Crawford, Melissa M. Deckman, and Christi J. Braun 5 Theocratic, Prophetic, and Ecumenical: Political Roles of African American Clergy Mary M. Sawyer 6 The Construction of Political Strategies among African American Clergy Katie Day 7 Clergy as Political Actors in Urban Contexts Sue E.S. Crawford and Laura R. Olson 8 American Church or Church in America?: The Politics of Catholic Bishops in Comparative Perspective Timothy A. Byrnes 9 The Mobilization of a Religious Elite: Political Activism Among Southern Baptist Clergy in 1996 James L. Guth 10 Reformed Preachers in Politics James M. Penning and Corwin E. Smidt
PART III: POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES 11 Shaping Pacifism: The Role of the Local Anabaptist Pastor Joel S. Fetzer 12 Cardinal O'Connor and His Constituents: Differential Benefits and Public Evaluations Paul A. Djupe 13 To March or Not to March: Clergy Mobilization Strategies and Grassroots Antidrug Activism James C. Cavendish
PART IV: CONCLUSION 14 Choices and Consequences in Context Sue E. S. Crawford and Laura R. Olson
Notes References Contributors Index
""Addressing an understudied social phenomenon, these essays examine the political influence of American clergy on their congregations... The high quality of the field research and the extensive editorial work set benchmarks for further publication in this field.""
