Spiritual Socialists

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Refuting the notion that the American left struggles with a religion problem, Vaneesa Cook highlights an overlooked tradition she terms "spiritual socialism." This perspective emphasizes the social aspects of socialism, asserting that the core religious values of caring for the sick, hungry, and marginalized form a solid foundation for society. By framing socialist principles within a spiritual context, spiritual socialism made leftist thought more appealing to Americans, who often equated socialism with Soviet atheism and totalitarianism. This tradition compelled liberals, conservatives, and Marxists to confront the vital link between morality and social justice. Cook's narrative features a diverse array of activists from the twentieth century, including Sherwood Eddy, A. J. Muste, Myles Horton, Dorothy Day, Henry Wallace, Pauli Murray, Staughton Lynd, and Martin Luther King, Jr. These figures publicly articulated the connection between religious values and socialism, arguing that equality, cooperation, and peace require grassroots efforts rather than top-down legislation. They believed that societal change must begin in homes and communities, advocating for improved interpersonal treatment as a foundation for radical activism. Cook identifies contemporary figures like Senator Bernie Sanders, Pope Francis, Reverend William Barber, and Cornel West as part of this enduring tradition, illustrating how non-Communist socialism co