Faith and the Presidency From George Washington to George W. BushIn the wake of the 2004 election, pundits were shocked at exit polling that showed that 22% of voters thought 'moral values' was the most important issue at stake. People on both sides of the political divide believed this was the key to victory for George W. Bush, who professes a deep and abiding faith in God. While some fervent Bush supporters see him as a man chosen by God for the White House, opponents see his overt commitment to Christianity as a dangerous and unprecedented bridging of the gap between church and state. In fact, Gary Scott Smith shows, none of this is new. Religion has been a major part of the presidency since George Washington's first inaugural address. Despite the mounting interest in the role of religion in American public life, we actually know remarkably little about the faith of our presidents. Was Thomas Jefferson an atheist, as his political opponents charged? What role did Lincoln's religious views play in his handling of slavery and the Civil War? How did born-again Southern Baptist Jimmy Carter lose the support of many evangelicals? Was George W. Bush, as his critics often claimed, a captive of the religious right? In this fascinating book, Smith answers these questions and many more. He takes a sweeping look at the role religion has played in presidential politics and policies. Drawing on extensive archival research, Smith paints compelling portraits of the religious lives and presidencies of eleven chief executives for whom religion was particularly important. Faith and the Presidency meticulously examines what each of its subjects believed and how those beliefs shaped their presidencies and, in turn, the course of our history. |
Contents
Saving the Last Best Hope of Earth | |
Theodore Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit | |
Presbyterian Statesman | |
Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Quest to Achieve an Abundant Life | |
Dwight David Eisenhower Dynamic Conservatism and the Religious Revival of the 1950s | |
The First Catholic President | |
First Servant of the Nation | |
Making America Gods Shining City on a Hill | |
A FaithBased Presidency | |
Conclusion | |
Notes | |
Index | |
Other editions - View all
Faith and the Presidency From George Washington to George W. Bush Gary Scott Smith Limited preview - 2006 |
Faith and the Presidency From George Washington to George W. Bush Gary Scott Smith Limited preview - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Lincoln actions Address administration American argued attended Baptist believed Bible biblical Bush Bush’s called campaign Carter Catholic character Christ Christian church Civil Religion claimed Clergy Congress conservative contended convictions critics David discussed Eisenhower election evangelicals faith father federal foreign freedom frequently George God’s groups human important Inaugural individuals insisted interest issues James Jefferson Jesus John July June justice Kennedy leaders Letters liberty Lincoln lives maintained ministers moral National never peace policies political position pray prayer Presbyterian president Presidential principles promote Protestant quotation Quoted Reagan relationship religion religious Remarks Republican Robert role Roosevelt schools Sept sermons served social speeches spiritual Thomas told Union United University Press urged values views vote Washington White House Wilson wrote York