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The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics
Former United States senator and ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth offers a fascinating, thoughtful, and deeply personal look at the state of American politics today—and how religion can be a bridge over our bitter partisan divide.
In an era of extreme partisanship, when running for office has become a zero-sum game in which candidates play exclusively to their ideological bases, Americans on both sides of the political aisle hunger for the return of a commitment to the common good. Too often, it seems, religion has been used as a wedge to divide us in these battles. But is it also the key to restoring our civic virtue?
For more than a decade, John Danforth, who is also an ordained Episcopal priest, has written extensively on the negative use of religion as a divisive force in American politics. Now he turns to the positive, constructive impact faithful religious believers have and can have on our public life. The Relevance of Religion is the product of that period of reflection.
In the calm and wise voice of the pastor he once aspired to be, Senator Danforth argues that our shared religious values can lead us out of the embittered, entrenched state of politics today. A lifelong Republican, he calls his own party to task for its part in creating a political system in which the loudest opinions and the most polarizing personalities hold sway. And he suggests that such a system is not only unsustainable but unfaithful to our essential nature. We are built to care about other people, and this inherent altruism—which science says we crave because of our neurobiological wiring, and the Bible says is part of our created nature—is a crucial aspect of good government.
Our willingness to serve more than our self-interest is religion’s gift to politics, John Danforth asserts. In an era when 75 percent of Americans say they cannot trust their elected leaders, The Relevance of Religion is a heartfelt plea for more compassionate government—and a rousing call to arms for those wishing to follow the better angels of our nature.
Praise for The Relevance of Religion
“Using well-supported arguments deriving from his ministerial as well as legal background, Danforth asserts that traditional religious values of sacrifice, selflessness and a commitment to the greater good can and should have prominent roles in America’s politics. . . . Danforth’s arguments are staunchly supported and clearly explained. . . . For anyone who is faithful as well as political, he provides much food for thought.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“John Danforth does his country another service after many. His book is both a serious critique of politicized religion and a strong defense of religion’s indispensable role in our common life. He talks of faith as an antidote to egotism, as a force for reconciliation, and as a source of public virtue. His case is illustrated through autobiography, in an honest, winsome, and sometimes self-critical tone. Danforth speaks for civility, collegiality, and useful compromise—and is compelling because he has demonstrated all those commitments himself over the decades.” —Michael Gerson, columnist, The Washington Post
“In this wise and urgent book, John Danforth stands in the company of our great public theologians—Paul Tillich, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the brothers Niebuhr—as he envisions both religious and political practices that enable our better selves. Political participation, pursued well, cultivates generosity and patience, and is good for the soul. What better remedy for mending our broken politics?” —Charles Marsh, Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia
In an era of extreme partisanship, when running for office has become a zero-sum game in which candidates play exclusively to their ideological bases, Americans on both sides of the political aisle hunger for the return of a commitment to the common good. Too often, it seems, religion has been used as a wedge to divide us in these battles. But is it also the key to restoring our civic virtue?
For more than a decade, John Danforth, who is also an ordained Episcopal priest, has written extensively on the negative use of religion as a divisive force in American politics. Now he turns to the positive, constructive impact faithful religious believers have and can have on our public life. The Relevance of Religion is the product of that period of reflection.
In the calm and wise voice of the pastor he once aspired to be, Senator Danforth argues that our shared religious values can lead us out of the embittered, entrenched state of politics today. A lifelong Republican, he calls his own party to task for its part in creating a political system in which the loudest opinions and the most polarizing personalities hold sway. And he suggests that such a system is not only unsustainable but unfaithful to our essential nature. We are built to care about other people, and this inherent altruism—which science says we crave because of our neurobiological wiring, and the Bible says is part of our created nature—is a crucial aspect of good government.
Our willingness to serve more than our self-interest is religion’s gift to politics, John Danforth asserts. In an era when 75 percent of Americans say they cannot trust their elected leaders, The Relevance of Religion is a heartfelt plea for more compassionate government—and a rousing call to arms for those wishing to follow the better angels of our nature.
Praise for The Relevance of Religion
“Using well-supported arguments deriving from his ministerial as well as legal background, Danforth asserts that traditional religious values of sacrifice, selflessness and a commitment to the greater good can and should have prominent roles in America’s politics. . . . Danforth’s arguments are staunchly supported and clearly explained. . . . For anyone who is faithful as well as political, he provides much food for thought.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“John Danforth does his country another service after many. His book is both a serious critique of politicized religion and a strong defense of religion’s indispensable role in our common life. He talks of faith as an antidote to egotism, as a force for reconciliation, and as a source of public virtue. His case is illustrated through autobiography, in an honest, winsome, and sometimes self-critical tone. Danforth speaks for civility, collegiality, and useful compromise—and is compelling because he has demonstrated all those commitments himself over the decades.” —Michael Gerson, columnist, The Washington Post
“In this wise and urgent book, John Danforth stands in the company of our great public theologians—Paul Tillich, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the brothers Niebuhr—as he envisions both religious and political practices that enable our better selves. Political participation, pursued well, cultivates generosity and patience, and is good for the soul. What better remedy for mending our broken politics?” —Charles Marsh, Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2015
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January 29, 2016
Incivility, with all of its rudeness in personal and political discourse and discourtesy on social and audio-visual media, seem to have confiscated and impounded our shared psyche as a nation. Simultaneously, into this caustic environment is being poured a highly-flammable fuel that explodes and melts down discussion and disagreement, and dissolves any hope of reaching the common good. The Ninth Commandment clearly announces that we’re not to bear false witness against our neighbors. And yet people of strong Christian convictions violate the Ninth Commandment minute-by-minute on Facebook, via email and by means of other outlets. You see it when we post and publicize scathing, often half-truth fabrications against this or that Governmental office holder and others. To propose a remedy, John Danforth, Lawyer, Episcopal priest, one-time Republican Senator for Missouri and United States Representative to the United Nations, presents his 288 page hardback, “The Relevance of Religion: How People of Faith Can Change Politics.”
The main premise of “The Relevance of Religion” is that people of faith have an ability and a responsibility to promote reconciliation and restore sensibility to the country and the political process. This point is clearly displayed in the title of the longest, central chapter of the book, “The Making of Virtuous Citizens.” This 90 page section works through the formation of virtuous citizens, by religious people putting into practice what the author thinks is one of the central tenets of most religions: love God above all things, and your neighbors. This theme permeates the whole book through multiple examples and illustrations.
Danforth believes that our national problems, as well as why Government doesn’t work any longer, has to do with the elevation of politics as ultimate (breaking the First and Second Commandments); the shift from seeking the common good to self-interests (breach of the second greatest commandment); and the advancement of instant-offendedness and offensiveness and the loss of humor (violation of the Ninth Commandment). For example, the author notes that religion “pulls us toward virtue, but modern campaign techniques move us ever further away from the common good and ever closer to concern for self and little else” (207).
In “The Relevance of Religion” the author lays out several remedial observations and suggestions. These include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the need for compromise, something that is doable if politics is returned to its secondary place and no longer allowed to usurp ultimacy (244), and love and respect, even for adversaries, is restored (246). (2) For religious people to change the tone of political discourse by stepping away from relentless personal attacks, and to hold our politicians to the same standard; for people to come to recognize that “there is a big difference between opposition and abuse” (211). (3) For religious people to help raise “our sights above the interests of self and group to concern for the common good” (244-5). (4) Restoration of the communal aspects of religion since isolation is becoming more pronounced in America, and we are turning more into a collection of peoples rather than a people, and so “religion binds us to each other and to the whole” (245-6). Danforth offers several proposals of how these could potentially all work out, some of which seemed to me to be tenable, and some a little more controversial.
“The Relevance of Religion” is an easy book to read. No matter what one’s political party or position, if the book is read with an open ear, it will be a profitable endeavor. And especially if Christians and other religious people will set to the side their particular interests and pay attention to the major themes of the book, on the one hand you will walk away chastened, but on the other hand you will walk forward with a better perspective on what our responsibilities are, because people of faith “have a responsibility to advocate the causes of those who do not hire lobbyists and to advance the common good (238). Though I didn’t agree with every recommendation or idea the author put forward, nonetheless I happily, and urgently, recommend the book.
The main premise of “The Relevance of Religion” is that people of faith have an ability and a responsibility to promote reconciliation and restore sensibility to the country and the political process. This point is clearly displayed in the title of the longest, central chapter of the book, “The Making of Virtuous Citizens.” This 90 page section works through the formation of virtuous citizens, by religious people putting into practice what the author thinks is one of the central tenets of most religions: love God above all things, and your neighbors. This theme permeates the whole book through multiple examples and illustrations.
Danforth believes that our national problems, as well as why Government doesn’t work any longer, has to do with the elevation of politics as ultimate (breaking the First and Second Commandments); the shift from seeking the common good to self-interests (breach of the second greatest commandment); and the advancement of instant-offendedness and offensiveness and the loss of humor (violation of the Ninth Commandment). For example, the author notes that religion “pulls us toward virtue, but modern campaign techniques move us ever further away from the common good and ever closer to concern for self and little else” (207).
In “The Relevance of Religion” the author lays out several remedial observations and suggestions. These include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the need for compromise, something that is doable if politics is returned to its secondary place and no longer allowed to usurp ultimacy (244), and love and respect, even for adversaries, is restored (246). (2) For religious people to change the tone of political discourse by stepping away from relentless personal attacks, and to hold our politicians to the same standard; for people to come to recognize that “there is a big difference between opposition and abuse” (211). (3) For religious people to help raise “our sights above the interests of self and group to concern for the common good” (244-5). (4) Restoration of the communal aspects of religion since isolation is becoming more pronounced in America, and we are turning more into a collection of peoples rather than a people, and so “religion binds us to each other and to the whole” (245-6). Danforth offers several proposals of how these could potentially all work out, some of which seemed to me to be tenable, and some a little more controversial.
“The Relevance of Religion” is an easy book to read. No matter what one’s political party or position, if the book is read with an open ear, it will be a profitable endeavor. And especially if Christians and other religious people will set to the side their particular interests and pay attention to the major themes of the book, on the one hand you will walk away chastened, but on the other hand you will walk forward with a better perspective on what our responsibilities are, because people of faith “have a responsibility to advocate the causes of those who do not hire lobbyists and to advance the common good (238). Though I didn’t agree with every recommendation or idea the author put forward, nonetheless I happily, and urgently, recommend the book.
June 24, 2017
I think his book could have been sum up in the one sentence from the Creation Chapter of the book.
"We can strongly oppose someone's politics but still treat our opponent with dignity."
The book has some insights on how legislatively things worked and how they got the way they are today.
However, I don't think he offered many solutions. He spoke a lot of how things should work but not how we can get them too.
The other big issue for me is that I felt the book is written as if religion is Christian not as if he was addressing a Christian audience. The failure to recognize the diversity of our people, many, many who have religions not Christian, is part of the problem.
I would suggest others read the book but I think there is ideas worth considering. I just don't know exactly how I feel about it overall.
"We can strongly oppose someone's politics but still treat our opponent with dignity."
The book has some insights on how legislatively things worked and how they got the way they are today.
However, I don't think he offered many solutions. He spoke a lot of how things should work but not how we can get them too.
The other big issue for me is that I felt the book is written as if religion is Christian not as if he was addressing a Christian audience. The failure to recognize the diversity of our people, many, many who have religions not Christian, is part of the problem.
I would suggest others read the book but I think there is ideas worth considering. I just don't know exactly how I feel about it overall.
May 20, 2020
Former Missouri Senator and minster in a mainline American church, John Danforth challenges the political strategies that link political stance with religious fairths. Too often religion is used to divide politics. He says it’s the religious faith can play an important and helpful role in politics. His concern is that we are losing our country.
He says “This book is an attempt to find out where I am in my own thinking in the hope that my struggle will help others thinking about the relationship between their fathers and how they go about in their lives as citizens and their engagement in politics.” The first step to recovery begins when we create political platforms on the grounds of religion polices. (p. 8)
In chapter 2, he shows politics isn’t religion. In face, the only humor in the book is his analysis of the debate between Abram and God.
The heroes of the book are the first four presidents, before political parties popped up. The four understood the virtue and how government can deliver that virtue. He cites JFK’s statement about the danger of subordinating self-interest for the common good.
(p. 99) He devotes an early chapter to understanding religion itself as a source of virtue.
We get a short look at his experiences as a Senator in DC, with an excellent summary of ideas at the end of the chapter. (p. 122) He challenged religious people to avoid trying to help with the word by picking fights and creating divisions. (pp. 136-137) Religion used baldy can be a powerful way to divide people (p. 158) Race can be caught up in such rhetoric. (158)
The last two decades have become contexts for meanness, polarization, and dysfunctional rules. He tells the story of how he and a member of Congress who was on the other side were able to work together (pp. 188-189)
One step forward is to recall the Lincoln/Douglas debates in which the candidates had significant time to explain their proposals and vision. .
The final chapter lays out four principles that will make politics work better.
This is a book about ethics, values, and especially leadership.
He says “This book is an attempt to find out where I am in my own thinking in the hope that my struggle will help others thinking about the relationship between their fathers and how they go about in their lives as citizens and their engagement in politics.” The first step to recovery begins when we create political platforms on the grounds of religion polices. (p. 8)
In chapter 2, he shows politics isn’t religion. In face, the only humor in the book is his analysis of the debate between Abram and God.
The heroes of the book are the first four presidents, before political parties popped up. The four understood the virtue and how government can deliver that virtue. He cites JFK’s statement about the danger of subordinating self-interest for the common good.
(p. 99) He devotes an early chapter to understanding religion itself as a source of virtue.
We get a short look at his experiences as a Senator in DC, with an excellent summary of ideas at the end of the chapter. (p. 122) He challenged religious people to avoid trying to help with the word by picking fights and creating divisions. (pp. 136-137) Religion used baldy can be a powerful way to divide people (p. 158) Race can be caught up in such rhetoric. (158)
The last two decades have become contexts for meanness, polarization, and dysfunctional rules. He tells the story of how he and a member of Congress who was on the other side were able to work together (pp. 188-189)
One step forward is to recall the Lincoln/Douglas debates in which the candidates had significant time to explain their proposals and vision. .
The final chapter lays out four principles that will make politics work better.
This is a book about ethics, values, and especially leadership.
September 15, 2016
I had to read this for work purposes. It's a slog. Senator Danforth is nostalgic for a world in which white men gathered in the halls of Congress to decide what was best for the best of us and then retired to the club for cigars and drinks. He longs for a world in which everyone in Congress is part of that club and the rest of us defer to their wisdom and follow their decisions. People of faith should work to return politics to that civil world, but we should keep our noses out of issue advocacy or political action. Folks of all colors and creeds are welcome to participate if they behave in ways that are acceptable to the ruling class, and if they show personal responsibility, they'll be rewarded with good lives and good communities.
Unfortunately, Danforth shows little awareness of his responsibility for the current mess in Congress. Moderate Republicans like him have for decades courted the extremist wing of the Republican party in the hope of winning elections, and the devolution of rhetoric and the ascendance of hate speech is directly attributable to that faction in politics. In addition, Danforth's paternalistic attitude toward poor people, many of whom are people of color, seems entirely uninformed by any understanding of white privilege, or even of the idea that the goal of inclusion and equality is not for everyone to act like and believe like middle-class white people. To him, personal responsibility and virtue as defined by him and other conservative white politicians is the answer, and social justice advocacy is a misguided--and in some cases, a lazy--substitute for it.
Danforth would like people of faith to focus their political efforts on righting the ship of American politics. Religious people, he says, can hold politicians accountable for their rhetoric and insist that government function on behalf of the common good. Religious people should advocate for civility and community--which should include, he says, subsidies for Congressional families to live in Washington and loosening fundraising restrictions so that members of Congress can raise money more easily and therefore have more time to socialize and travel with each other.
It's hard to know what to do with this kind of nostalgia on the part of someone who does not seem to have grasped that the world he longs for has fallen apart because it wasn't working very well for many, many people. Most of the book can be dismissed as the struggle of an old man to make sense of the world that has passed him by.
But there is a dangerous part of Danforth's worldview. He insists that political life should be grounded in compromise and collegiality among politicians who know best, because all Americans fundamentally agree on the kind of country we want to have, the rights we expect to enjoy, and the values we hold. But the current climate in this country doesn't bear that out. It is alarming for someone who holds himself out as a political leader to be unaware of readily available data about the racism and intolerance of many Americans and increased hate speech and violence against Muslims, Latinos and Hispanics, African Americans, women, and many other Americans. Danforth says that we need to remember that politics aren't a life-or-death matter, but for too many people, they are, and Danforth seems to be entirely unaware of that fact.
Unfortunately, Danforth shows little awareness of his responsibility for the current mess in Congress. Moderate Republicans like him have for decades courted the extremist wing of the Republican party in the hope of winning elections, and the devolution of rhetoric and the ascendance of hate speech is directly attributable to that faction in politics. In addition, Danforth's paternalistic attitude toward poor people, many of whom are people of color, seems entirely uninformed by any understanding of white privilege, or even of the idea that the goal of inclusion and equality is not for everyone to act like and believe like middle-class white people. To him, personal responsibility and virtue as defined by him and other conservative white politicians is the answer, and social justice advocacy is a misguided--and in some cases, a lazy--substitute for it.
Danforth would like people of faith to focus their political efforts on righting the ship of American politics. Religious people, he says, can hold politicians accountable for their rhetoric and insist that government function on behalf of the common good. Religious people should advocate for civility and community--which should include, he says, subsidies for Congressional families to live in Washington and loosening fundraising restrictions so that members of Congress can raise money more easily and therefore have more time to socialize and travel with each other.
It's hard to know what to do with this kind of nostalgia on the part of someone who does not seem to have grasped that the world he longs for has fallen apart because it wasn't working very well for many, many people. Most of the book can be dismissed as the struggle of an old man to make sense of the world that has passed him by.
But there is a dangerous part of Danforth's worldview. He insists that political life should be grounded in compromise and collegiality among politicians who know best, because all Americans fundamentally agree on the kind of country we want to have, the rights we expect to enjoy, and the values we hold. But the current climate in this country doesn't bear that out. It is alarming for someone who holds himself out as a political leader to be unaware of readily available data about the racism and intolerance of many Americans and increased hate speech and violence against Muslims, Latinos and Hispanics, African Americans, women, and many other Americans. Danforth says that we need to remember that politics aren't a life-or-death matter, but for too many people, they are, and Danforth seems to be entirely unaware of that fact.
November 22, 2015
'The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics' by John Danforth is a reasoned call to religious people to help change the tone of modern politics. Not to try to influence it like it days past, but with the kind of perspective that faith in a higher power can bring.
John Danforth brings his years of experience service, along with his personal faith together in this well reasoned book to deliver a different call to action. We live in a time when politics has driven divisive lines to the point where neither side can have conversations. Some of this is due to how religion has tried to brute force policy in the past few decades. Mr. Danforth calls for a different approach.
The principles talked about include self-sacrifice and not making politics an idol, by blowing it out of proportion. He says when we turn "what is only approximate into what we claim is absolute, we make politics grotesque." I couldn't agree more.
We live in an age where self-sacrifice for the greater good is rare, and with the kinds of crises our county faces now and in the near future, Christians should be modeling what self-sacrifice looks like. When Christians use God to advance a viewpoint, it is potentially "destructive of the civility that holds us together."
Written with a voice of reason, this is a call to action, but a call to the action of godly servants, not righteous firebrands. I appreciated this book and the calm voice of John Danforth. I applaud his ability to see through the noise of our times, and to offer humble direction.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
John Danforth brings his years of experience service, along with his personal faith together in this well reasoned book to deliver a different call to action. We live in a time when politics has driven divisive lines to the point where neither side can have conversations. Some of this is due to how religion has tried to brute force policy in the past few decades. Mr. Danforth calls for a different approach.
The principles talked about include self-sacrifice and not making politics an idol, by blowing it out of proportion. He says when we turn "what is only approximate into what we claim is absolute, we make politics grotesque." I couldn't agree more.
We live in an age where self-sacrifice for the greater good is rare, and with the kinds of crises our county faces now and in the near future, Christians should be modeling what self-sacrifice looks like. When Christians use God to advance a viewpoint, it is potentially "destructive of the civility that holds us together."
Written with a voice of reason, this is a call to action, but a call to the action of godly servants, not righteous firebrands. I appreciated this book and the calm voice of John Danforth. I applaud his ability to see through the noise of our times, and to offer humble direction.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
November 30, 2015
An amazing book whose meaning goes beyond politics and shows the role Christians should have in their communities. The "Love Your Neighbor"
intimacy we feel within our respective congregations needs to extend to the communities around us. Start by opening up the meeting areas of the church to before work coffee and doughnuts gatherings, community social events, mobilization areas where people can meet if there is a community crisis, etc.. We have become communities of "shut-ins". There are parts of St. Louis where if a person is shot he feels safer trying to drive himself to the hospital than to knock on a door and possibly get shot again. Preach the Gospel second and Love (all) your neighbors first.
intimacy we feel within our respective congregations needs to extend to the communities around us. Start by opening up the meeting areas of the church to before work coffee and doughnuts gatherings, community social events, mobilization areas where people can meet if there is a community crisis, etc.. We have become communities of "shut-ins". There are parts of St. Louis where if a person is shot he feels safer trying to drive himself to the hospital than to knock on a door and possibly get shot again. Preach the Gospel second and Love (all) your neighbors first.
January 21, 2019
For a man who served in the Senate for 18 years, Danforth has written a book that seems a bit naive. Religion is just a veneer to advance an ethic that he was unable to accomplish in three terms and with two failed attempts at community organizing. It is ironic that I read the book during the Martin Luther King holiday. King ventured far outside the box in which Danforth would keep religion’s prophetic voice. I suspect that the 1950s are gone forever.
April 23, 2022
I appreciated John Danforth as a United States Senator so was interested in reading his thoughts about religion and politics. This book provides a hopeful/helpful critique of our current, and rather long term “do nothing” Congress. He has some suggestions for pursuing a remedy to this problem by using religion’s gift to politics which is the willingness to serve more than self-interest. The pursuit of compromise should be the off ramp from partisan gridlock.
February 14, 2019
A personal, humble, and well-reasoned discussion of the role of religion in politics, the book had one line that really stood out (to me): "When we treat political opinions as being nonnegotiable and beyond compromise, we are entering the world of idolatry."
March 10, 2017
I'm not someone that talks about politics or religion. With that being said, the book kept me reading. I may not have agreed with everything, but I certainly appreciated his points of working with, and not, against the other parties for the greater good. Also Danforth makes sure to point out many times, religion and politics are not the same thing and should not be used to measure the other. He certainly made good points and didn't write over the average layman' head.
*read for a Missouri author award nomination
*read for a Missouri author award nomination
February 5, 2016
"People who want to mend American politics must become activists .. [i.e.] become even more engaged and more effective than those who have broken it."
Mr. Danforth proposes the following ways in which people can achieve such mending:
1. Be vocal and well organized.
a) Call candidates and the media to task for campaigns that amount to "pure venom unadulterated by substance";
b) Ask candidates to explain how their campaigns reflect their values.
2. Attend townhall meeting and be at least as outspoken as their opponents.
3. Make their presence known in social media.
4. Create new forums to discuss public issues in extensive and informative ways.
5. Raise large sums of money to support candidates who work for change.
6. Form good-government political action committees.
How is any of this religious? Well, Jesus sent His disciples to do good works but they were not to be "pushovers". They were to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves". If that were so for followers of Jesus who were to proclaim the Kingdom of God, it is equally true for citizens who would reform politics.
More overtly Christian ways to work for reform would be:
7. Pray for Presidents or members of Congress with whom we disagree, bearing in mind that as Christians there is no inconsistency between praying for and trying to defeat those on the opposite side of political controversies.
8. Remember that a consequence of prayer is that it facilitates RESPECTFUL opposition.
Mr. Danforth proposes the following ways in which people can achieve such mending:
1. Be vocal and well organized.
a) Call candidates and the media to task for campaigns that amount to "pure venom unadulterated by substance";
b) Ask candidates to explain how their campaigns reflect their values.
2. Attend townhall meeting and be at least as outspoken as their opponents.
3. Make their presence known in social media.
4. Create new forums to discuss public issues in extensive and informative ways.
5. Raise large sums of money to support candidates who work for change.
6. Form good-government political action committees.
How is any of this religious? Well, Jesus sent His disciples to do good works but they were not to be "pushovers". They were to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves". If that were so for followers of Jesus who were to proclaim the Kingdom of God, it is equally true for citizens who would reform politics.
More overtly Christian ways to work for reform would be:
7. Pray for Presidents or members of Congress with whom we disagree, bearing in mind that as Christians there is no inconsistency between praying for and trying to defeat those on the opposite side of political controversies.
8. Remember that a consequence of prayer is that it facilitates RESPECTFUL opposition.
May 28, 2016
A review:
The Relevance of Religion
John Danforth
It is difficult for me to be critical of this book that is an extremely enlightened exposition of “what is” in the today’s world, especially in the world of religion and politics. I highly recommend it for people who need a starting reference for the next developments that are coming for the human community.
And coming they are. But not from “Religion” or “Politics.” And so with my own hubris, for those who anticipate the future, my unkind criticism is that the prescription of the author for more religious instruction to have a better political system. His simple solution is for no more idols of political methods and a proliferation of the Love commandment.
What is missing? The means for this to happen which is the transformation of people by the power of God’s Spirit within each soul. Not the by fiat commands of a reformed religious or political system.
The Relevance of Religion
John Danforth
It is difficult for me to be critical of this book that is an extremely enlightened exposition of “what is” in the today’s world, especially in the world of religion and politics. I highly recommend it for people who need a starting reference for the next developments that are coming for the human community.
And coming they are. But not from “Religion” or “Politics.” And so with my own hubris, for those who anticipate the future, my unkind criticism is that the prescription of the author for more religious instruction to have a better political system. His simple solution is for no more idols of political methods and a proliferation of the Love commandment.
What is missing? The means for this to happen which is the transformation of people by the power of God’s Spirit within each soul. Not the by fiat commands of a reformed religious or political system.
October 30, 2015
Though I feel the book would have been more effective with less repetition, I really appreciate the insights Danforth gives into our federal government:how it was designed to work and what is preventing it from working now. He sees adherence to uncompromising positions and the absence of collegiality as major problems, and he proposes that people of faith (and having been ordained as an Anglican priest he is certainly among them) back away from presenting their political agendas to legislators and treating their political positions with quasi-religious zeal and instead devote themselves to improving the tone of political discourse through bringing their faith (primarily the Two Great Commandments) into their own political participation. I think our nation would be benefited if his advice is heeded.
January 5, 2016
I am very thankful to have received a free copy of this book through Goodreads.
I enjoyed how Mr. Danforth was very sincere and seemed to be willing to work across the aisles to get things done. As a democrat, it was very refreshing to read from another's perspective. I highly respect Mr. Danforth.
I do wish that he would have been able to draw more specific ideas and conclusions for people of faith to do in order to change politics instead of offering vague suggestions. I think I would have rated the book higher if the topic was about how to get Congress to succeed by working together instead of focusing on religion in the title yet not offering much about religion in the book.
Thanks again for the book!
I enjoyed how Mr. Danforth was very sincere and seemed to be willing to work across the aisles to get things done. As a democrat, it was very refreshing to read from another's perspective. I highly respect Mr. Danforth.
I do wish that he would have been able to draw more specific ideas and conclusions for people of faith to do in order to change politics instead of offering vague suggestions. I think I would have rated the book higher if the topic was about how to get Congress to succeed by working together instead of focusing on religion in the title yet not offering much about religion in the book.
Thanks again for the book!
March 8, 2016
An interesting view of politics from an insider's point of view. Danforth provides insight into events in our not too distant past. I appreciated his sharing his experiences and his personal beliefs. the suggestions in this book seem particularly important at this time in our election process. should be required reading for any and every congressman and informative for all constituents.
March 4, 2016
Very timely read, as it relates to global affairs towards the end of 2015. Interesting point of view, that is very different from the talking heads on TV. Would highly recommend!
*I received a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaways
*I received a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaways
November 5, 2015
An answer for today's dysfunction
Clearly stated ideas on what constitutes an effective government and our responsibility as people of faith to make it work.
Clearly stated ideas on what constitutes an effective government and our responsibility as people of faith to make it work.
December 19, 2015
One of my heroes growing up in St. Louis. Very thought provoking.
June 22, 2016
READ THIS BOOK. If you care about the future of our government, it's a must.
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