Has anyone read God's Politics. It talks about ALL the issues talked about

[1932]

on DU, and it's pretty scathing of Republicans. However, it talks about what Wallis (the author) calls "secular fundamentalism" in addition to talking about the dangers of religious fundamentalism.

I guaranee you this book will give you a lot to think about if you like reading DU.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Anything he writes is worth reading.

[Tux]

2. It's great

But I don't like how he calls liberals and non-Christians "secular fundamentalists". Otherwise, a great read and has lots of ideas. He is the only evangelical I consider to be American instead of a terrorist.

[1932]

3. He doesn't call all liberals and non-Christians "secular fundamentalists."

He only applies it to people who want to stamp out religion from the discussion of political motivations.

He agrees that there should be a separation of church and state. However, he argues that people who are motivated by religion to hold policy positions should be able to discuss that as their frame without people accusing them of violating the constitution.

I think he makes a fairly persuasive argument about that, although I'd like to hear a more detailed argument about it.

[El Supremo]

4. Yes

It should be required reading for all people of faith.

Don't forget, he knocks the left pretty well too.

[1932]

5. I also think it should be required reading for all liberals, regardless...

...of whether you're religious.

[CitySky]

6. I went to the library for this on Tuesday

and all 7 copies at the downtown Houston location were checked out.

In fact 18 of the 22 copies throughout the Houston area were checked out! I find that really encouraging... it means there is an audience for Wallis's type of thinking. (Though my most cynical liberal friend suggested that the 18 checked-out copies have all been burned, ha ha.)

So it means I need to wait until I finish the stack of other materials I brought home with my on Tuesday night before I get to read this one. I'm working on a new Christian Left project right now, currently in the "groundwork and research" phase. ;) shhhh!

[1932]

7. This book is going to help you a great deal with your project.

It's going to blow your mind.

[kliljedahl]

8. Forget the library, buy it

I'm an athiest & I recommend it. If more evangelical Xtians were more like him, the world would be a much better place.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[CitySky]

9. Okay, update!

I bought the book. Am still reading it. There are a lot of sources, etc. I want to mine. Kliljedahl, as a rabid member of the Christian Left, i'm going to take your post as a compliment. :) Hoping to do my bit to make the world a better place, yes. When I first decided to label myself a "Christan Progressive" more than a year ago, I was alone in my living room and seriously thought myself a party of one. It's good to connect with others of similar ilk.

MEANWHILE, re "secular fundamentalists" - it's true, let's be real, that there ARE many otherwise fine upstanding liberal folk who honestly feel that religion, any religion, is the root of most of the world's evil and would chuck the whole kit and caboodle if they could. Some of you maybe even feel that the world would be a better place without religion at all (cue John Lennon!) -- and frankly, if this philosophy were in POWER and pursued this as an agenda, it would be just as dangerous to liberty as any other kind of fundamentalism.

BUT... the anti-religion folks AREN'T in power right now, and we have bigger fish to fry with the whackjobs that are, you know what I mean? But every now and then I guess Wallis wants to give some liberals a little reminder that freedom FROM religion and freedom OF religion are both mighty fine things we can breathe freely and enjoy as fellow Americans.
(Now let's all hold hands and sing a folks song.)

[YankeyMCC]

10. I read it earlier this year

And I'm happy I did. I'm an atheist - perhaps I could be called a "secular fundamentalist" if that's defined as someone who thinks religion in general is a bad idea. But I was still glad I read this book it gave me an understanding I didn't have before about the liberal relgious community and it sort of calmed me down. Not that I'm not still fired up to fight the good fight but I guess with each little bit of understanding comes a bit of hope that something might actually be accomplished and perhaps the gaps are not as big as they sometimes feel.