Robert Wuthnow Book order

"The work for racial justice in the U.S. in the decades after the high-water mark of the Civil Rights movement is a significant yet too often neglected chapter of American religious history- a chapter overshadowed to a great extent by the Religious Right, which has gotten much more scholarly attention. For decades, little known faith leaders across the U.S. did what they could to create fair and affordable housing, contribute to community development, advocate for affirmative action, protest racial profiling, and mobilize voter registration. Many of these leaders were affiliated with mainstream majority-White Protestant denominations, Black denominations, Roman Catholic groups, and Jewish organizations. Many of the Protestants were African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, or United Church of Christ. Some were Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Mennonites, Moravians, or Quakers. The leaders often formed coalitions of faith-based and nonsectarian organizations. The focus of Wuthnow's new book will be on local, unsung struggles for racial justice-- happening in response to local events, led by local clergy, and drawing on local networks. This was advocacy work that wasn't covered by national or international news media, and the achievements of these struggles were often small (rather than sweeping and dramatic). These struggles will be covered in a series of thematic chapters; one chapter on concerted action by faith groups & leaders in particular U.S. communities for fair, affordable, desegregated housing; another chapter on affirmative action and busing; a third on efforts to advocate for policy reform and for the end of racial profiling, etc. Wuthnow will discuss the systematic racism that these racial justice advocates confronted -- racism that's thoroughly ingrained in institutional structures, and that has proven to be impervious to strategies that involve personal approaches to sensitizing hearts and minds to the evils of racism. Wuthnow argues that this historical record provides lessons for contemporary racial justice warriors working either within or outside of faith communities. Progressive religious groups have been most effective in supporting civil rights efforts whey they're focused on very specific tasks -- e.g. voting rights, gerrymandering, discrimination in hiring, inequality on the job, and lack of access to equal opportunity in education -- and when they organize strategically, form coalitions, use the right kinds of knowledge and expertise, and adapt to new situations"-- Provided by publisher

"This book addresses the question of whether, and if so how, religion benefits American democracy. Scholarly views about the answer are divided, as is public opinion. Some hold that religion is beneficial where democracy is concerned; others view it as detrimental; and still others take the middle view that there is "good religion" and "bad religion", and that it all depends on [which] kind is winning. As Robert Wuthnow argues in this new book, these ways of thinking about this topic paint with too broad a brush. Religion as we know it in the United States is vastly diverse, and it is this diversity that has mattered, and still matters. It has mattered not in the abstract, but concretely in the give and take that has mobilized faith communities to engage energetically in the pressing issues of the day -- an engagement that has often involved contesting the influence of other faith communities. Wuthnow's argument is that the deep diversity of religion in American has had, by & large, salutary political consequences. People of faith care about what happens in the country and are keen to mobilize to express their convictions and advocate for policy outcomes in line with their views. The diversity of religious groups in the U.S. contributes to democracy by reducing the chances of any one view becoming preeminent and by bringing innovative ideas to bear on public debate. The book shows empirically what diverse religious groups have done over the past century in advocating for particular democratic values. Individual chapters are case studies that explore important instances in which religious groups advocated against tyranny and on behalf of freedom of conscience; for freedom of assembly; in favor of human dignity; for citizenship rights in the case of immigrants; and for an amelioration of the wealth gap. Plenty of books have been written over the last few decades on religion and politics in the U.S. that have been salvos in the long-running American culture wars. Such books have often decried the involvement of religion in American politics, called for a firmer separation of church and state on the grounds that democracy is better when religion retreats, and criticized the Religious Right in particular. This book, by contrast, offers a more nuanced account of what diverse religious groups have done in the U.S. over the past century in advocating for particular democratic values"-- Provided by publisher

He favors the use of a broad range of analytic tools drawn from multiple disciplines and approaches to the study of religion.) The five chapters of this book describe the central concepts and arguments now advancing the study of religious practice. Chapter 1, entitled "Theories", discusses the theoretical contributions associated with the aforementioned shift in religious studies to the investigation of religious practice. Chapter 2, "Situations", discusses how religious activities and experiences are shaped by the physical and temporal spaces in which social action occurs. Chapter 3, "Intentions", takes on an important topic that has proven difficult to study from a social science perspective. "Feelings" are the focus of Chapter 4, and the role of "Bodies" is addressed in Chapter 5. .

Why did rural Americans vote overwhelmingly for Donald Trump? Beyond economic and demographic decline, is there a more nuanced explanation for the growing rural-urban divide? Wuthnow brings us into America's small towns, farms, and rural communities so we can hear from farmers who want government out of their business, factory workers who believe in working hard to support their families, town managers who find the federal government unresponsive to their communities' needs, and clergy who say the moral climate is being undermined. Wuthnow shows how this important population will influence the nation's political future. -- adapted from jacket.

How American respectability has been built by maligning those who don't make the grade. How did Americans come to think of themselves as respectable members of the middle class? Was it just by earning a decent living? Or did it require something more? And if it did, what can we learn that may still apply?The quest for middle-class respectability in nineteenth-century America is usually described as a process of inculcating positive values such as honesty, hard work, independence, and cultural refinement. But clergy, educators, and community leaders also defined respectability negatively, by maligning individuals and groups-"misfits"--Who deviated from accepted norms. Robert Wuthnow argues that respectability is constructed by "othering" people who do not fit into easily recognizable, socially approved categories. He demonstrates this through an in-depth examination of a wide variety of individuals and groups that became objects of derision. We meet a disabled Civil War veteran who worked as a huckster on the edges of the frontier, the wife of a lunatic who raised her family while her husband was institutionalized, an immigrant religious community accused of sedition, and a wealthy scion charged with profiteering. Unlike respected Americans who marched confidently toward worldly and heavenly success, such misfits were usually ignored in paeans about the nation. But they played an important part in the cultural work that made America, and their story is essential for understanding the "othering" that remains so much a part of American culture and politics today

Exploring over 150 years of interwoven themes of religion, race, politics, and social change, this comprehensive analysis reveals Texas's profound impact beyond its borders. Robert Wuthnow's meticulous account delves into the complexities of Texan identity, challenging the notion of Texas as an isolated entity. His work highlights how the state's unique experiences reflect broader national trends, making it an essential read for understanding both Texas and its significance in American history.

A vivid and moving portrait of America's farm families Farming is essential to the American economy and our daily lives, yet few of us have much contact with farmers except through the food we eat. Who are America's farmers? Why is farming important to them? How are they coping with dramatic changes to their way of life? In the Blood paints a vivid and moving portrait of America’s farm families, shedding new light on their beliefs, values, and complicated relationship with the land. Drawing on more than two hundred in-depth interviews, Robert Wuthnow presents farmers in their own voices as they speak candidly about their family traditions, aspirations for their children, business arrangements, and conflicts with family members. They describe their changing relationships with neighbors, their shifting views about religion, and the subtle ways they defend their personal independence. Wuthnow shares the stories of farmers who operate dairies, raise livestock, and grow our fruit and vegetables. We hear from corn and soybean farmers, wheat-belt farmers, and cotton growers. We gain new insights into how farmers assign meaning to the land, and how they grapple with the increasingly difficult challenges of biotechnology and global markets. In the Blood reveals how, despite profound changes in modern agriculture, farming remains an enduring commitment that runs deeply in the veins of today’s farm families.

Exploring the cultural and political landscape of red state America, this book delves into the unique characteristics of Kansas as a microcosm of broader national trends. It examines the values, beliefs, and challenges faced by its residents, providing insights into issues such as identity, community, and political polarization. Through personal stories and historical context, the narrative sheds light on the complexities of life in a region often misunderstood, highlighting the resilience and diversity of its people.

The book reveals a thriving Midwest, countering the narrative of its decline. Robert Wuthnow explores how the region has adapted to contemporary challenges by leveraging its longstanding institutions and cultural practices. Through this analysis, he presents a more nuanced understanding of the Midwest's resilience and ongoing evolution in a changing world.

Focusing on the generation following the baby boomers, Robert Wuthnow explores the lifestyles and beliefs of younger Americans in their twenties and thirties. This examination sheds light on their influence on contemporary American religion, revealing how this next wave is shaping spiritual landscapes and practices. The book highlights the nuances of their faith and the distinctive ways they engage with religious traditions, offering a deeper understanding of this emerging demographic's impact on society.