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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 88
Page viii
... argue that religious beliefs have been a key ingredient in the mix for many of them. Numerous presidents have chosen ... argued that politicians must bring their faith into the public arena. Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan ...
... argue that religious beliefs have been a key ingredient in the mix for many of them. Numerous presidents have chosen ... argued that politicians must bring their faith into the public arena. Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan ...
Page 30
... To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished He repeatedly argued that the course of Character of Christian.''78 In his 1783 circular letter to the 30 faith and the presidency.
... To the distinguished Character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished He repeatedly argued that the course of Character of Christian.''78 In his 1783 circular letter to the 30 faith and the presidency.
Page 35
... argued, probably prevented the American Revolution from subverting the liberty it sought to establish.121 The Virginian had a sterling reputation for integrity and honor, dedication to duty and his country, and remaining above the ...
... argued, probably prevented the American Revolution from subverting the liberty it sought to establish.121 The Virginian had a sterling reputation for integrity and honor, dedication to duty and his country, and remaining above the ...
Page 36
... argued that if the general were not actually a Christian, he acted ''more like one than any man of the same description, whose life had been hitherto recorded.133 As president, Washington strove to establish public confidence in the new ...
... argued that if the general were not actually a Christian, he acted ''more like one than any man of the same description, whose life had been hitherto recorded.133 As president, Washington strove to establish public confidence in the new ...
Page 46
... argued, that there was ''an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the ... argue that the separation of church and state, the absence of religious tests for holding office, and freedom for ...
... argued, that there was ''an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the ... argue that the separation of church and state, the absence of religious tests for holding office, and freedom for ...
Contents
3 | |
21 | |
53 | |
Saving the Last Best Hope of Earth | 91 |
4 Theodore Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit | 129 |
Presbyterian Statesman | 159 |
6 Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Quest to Achieve an Abundant Life | 191 |
7 Dwight David Eisenhower Dynamic Conservatism and the Religious Revival of the 1950s | 221 |
The First Catholic President | 259 |
First Servant of the Nation | 293 |
Making America Gods Shining City on a Hill | 325 |
A FaithBased Presidency | 365 |
Conclusion | 415 |
Notes | 431 |
Index | 635 |
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 |
Faith and the Presidency From George Washington to George W. Bush Gary Scott Smith Limited preview - 2006 |
Common terms and phrases
abortion Abraham Lincoln administration American argued Baptist believed Bible biblical Billy Graham Bush Bush’s campaign Catholic Christ Christian church Civil Religion claimed Clergy Letters Congress conservative contended David declared Democratic divine Eisenhower Eisenhower’s election evangelical faith faith-based federal foreign policy Franklin Franklin Roosevelt freedom George W George Washington God’s Graham human ibid Inaugural Address insisted Iraq issues James Jesus Jewish Jews Jimmy Carter John July June justice Kennedy Kennedy’s leaders liberty Methodist ministers moral National National Religious Broadcasters pastor peace political PPF 21A pray Prayer Breakfast Presbyterian president Presidential Protestant quotation Quoted relationship Republican Robert role Ronald Reagan separation of church Sept sermons slavery social Soviet speeches spiritual Theodore Roosevelt theological Thomas Jefferson United University Press urged vote White House William Woodrow Wilson wrote York