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
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Page 14
... slavery, civil rights, poverty, abortion, and national defense, often striving to pass legislation as well as to transform individual attitudes, mores, and social institutions. Many religious denominations and parachurch organizations ...
... slavery, civil rights, poverty, abortion, and national defense, often striving to pass legislation as well as to transform individual attitudes, mores, and social institutions. Many religious denominations and parachurch organizations ...
Page 37
... slaves have been criticized. He engaged in three practices many Christians of his era detested: swearing, drinking, and gambling. When he was frustrated, the Virginian frequently used insulting or vulgar language. He ''drank heavily by ...
... slaves have been criticized. He engaged in three practices many Christians of his era detested: swearing, drinking, and gambling. When he was frustrated, the Virginian frequently used insulting or vulgar language. He ''drank heavily by ...
Page 38
... slaves. Prominent English abolitionist Edward Rushton denounced the president in 1796 for holding ''hundreds of his fellow beings in a state of abject bondage.'' ''[Y]ou who conquered under the banners of freedom—you who are now the ...
... slaves. Prominent English abolitionist Edward Rushton denounced the president in 1796 for holding ''hundreds of his fellow beings in a state of abject bondage.'' ''[Y]ou who conquered under the banners of freedom—you who are now the ...
Page 39
... slaves who enlisted in their army, coupled with the continual need for more troops, changed American policy. The general came to admire the courage and skill of black soldiers, which undoubtedly influenced his attitude toward slavery ...
... slaves who enlisted in their army, coupled with the continual need for more troops, changed American policy. The general came to admire the courage and skill of black soldiers, which undoubtedly influenced his attitude toward slavery ...
Page 40
Gary Scott Smith. While still privately lamenting the evils of slavery, Washington never condemned slavery publicly during his presidency, even in his farewell address to the nation or his last address to Congress.165 Doing so, he feared ...
Gary Scott Smith. While still privately lamenting the evils of slavery, Washington never condemned slavery publicly during his presidency, even in his farewell address to the nation or his last address to Congress.165 Doing so, he feared ...
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