Ted G. Jelen's study asks two basic questions: Why do some people apply their religious beliefs to their political behavior, and what are the consequences of politicized Christianity for the practice of democracy in the United States? Supportive data for his findings, collected from the members and clergy of fifteen churches in a rural Midwestern county, suggest that the decline of the Christian Right is due to religious particularism. Mutual distrust and suspicion among Fundamentalists, Evangelicals, Charismatics, and Pentecostals, as well as their widespread antipathy to Roman Catholics, prevents the formation of potentially powerful political coalitions.This book explores religion's tendency to impact conservative politics and what the nature of a fractured religious right implies. Jelen shows that religiously directed politics are often motivated by a prejudice against religious outsiders. Since the Christian Right supporters have not successfully internalized the humble, nonjudgmental tenets of Christianity, both the effectiveness of the politics and the essence of the Christianity suffers. Jelen's discussion encourages dialogue among researchers, scholars, and activists.

The Political Mobilization of Religious Beliefs:

History

Jelen, Ted G.

World

Praeger

Perspectives on the Politics of Abortion examines the abortion issue from ethical, empirical, and legal angles and offers some rather unconventional analyses and surprising conclusions with regard to this familiar issue. One chapter argues that the emphasis on rights has made illegal and occasionally violent activity on the part of pro-life activists increasingly likely. Another chapter suggests that abortion is an instance of the more general right to self-defense. A chapter considers the problem of abortion from the standpoint of participants in the political process. And chapters examine the political tactics of the Roman Catholic Church and abortion rights in terms of constitutional due process. This important volume adds new voices and perspectives to the abortion debate.

Perspectives on the Politics of Abortion

Politics & Social Sciences

Women's Studies

Should the wall of separation between church and state be permeable or inviolable? This question has been hotly contested since the nation's founding and contentious debates persist today. With a collection of the most significant documents and an introduction by Clarke E. Cochran that provides the historical context of the debate, prominent scholars Mary Segers and Ted Jelen debate the impact of organized religion on the democratic process, examine its influence on political discourse, and discuss its significance for the creation of public policy. The authors illuminate the constitutional implications of using religion to cultivate public morality and discuss the complexities of creating a civic-minded citizenry in a pluralistic society.

A Wall of Separation?

Religion & Spirituality

Cochran, Clarke E.

Segers, Mary

Christian Books & Bibles

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Using data from the Williamsburg Charter surveys, this book provides a portrait of public attitudes on church-state issues. It examines the social, religious and political sources of differences on issues, making comparisons among Protestants, Catholics, Jews and non-denominational others.

Public Attitudes Toward Church and State (American Political Institutions and Public Policy)

Wilcox, Clyde

Politics & Government

Routledge

Using data from the Williamsburg Charter surveys, this book provides a portrait of public attitudes on church-state issues. It examines the social, religious and political sources of differences on issues, making comparisons among Protestants, Catholics, Jews and non-denominational others.

Wilcox, Clyde G.

M.E.Sharpe

Newly revised and updated, To Serve God and Mammon is a classic in the field of religion and politics that provides an unbiased introduction and overview of church–state relations in the United States. Jelen begins by exploring the inherent tension between the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment. He then examines how different actors in American politics (e.g., the courts, Congress, the president, ordinary citizens) have different and conflicting values that affect their attitudes and actions toward the relationship between the sacred and the secular. Finally, he discusses how the fragmented nature of political authority in the United States provides the basis for continuing conflict concerning church–state relations. This second edition includes analyses of various recent court cases and the implications of living in the post–9/11 era. It also features discussion questions at the end of each chapter, a glossary of terms, and synopses of selected court decisions bearing on religion and politics in the United States.

To Serve God and Mammon: Church–State Relations in American Politics (Religion and Politics)

Georgetown University Press

This all-encompassing encyclopedia provides a broad perspective on U.S. politics, culture, and society, but also goes beyond the facts to consider the myths, ideals, and values that help shape and define the nation.
 • Offers approximately 225 entries covering U.S. politics, culture, society, and beliefs
• Includes an introductory overview of the forces that have shaped and continue to shape American political culture and a concluding essay that gathers key thematic threads and looks toward the future
• Covers the myriad ways in which American political culture influences other aspects of American society
• Examines how cultural symbols and beliefs are manipulated to advance political interests and establish government authority
• Connects new issues such as social media and sexual politics with the political culture

American Political Culture [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia [3 volumes]

Rozell, Mark J.

ABC-CLIO

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Jelen, Ted G.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Jelen, Ted G.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Jelen, Ted G.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Political Mobilization of Religious Beliefs:

Perspectives on the Politics of Abortion

A Wall of Separation?

Public Attitudes Toward Church and State (American Political Institutions and Public Policy)

Public Attitudes Toward Church and State (American Political Institutions and Public Policy)

To Serve God and Mammon: Church–State Relations in American Politics (Religion and Politics)

American Political Culture [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia [3 volumes]