God is a Conservative: Religion, Politics, and Morality in Contemporary America

by Kenneth J. Heineman

Overview

From Billy Graham and Ronald Regan to Newt Gingrich and William Bennett, God is a Conservative provides an important look at the role of religion in conservative politics in modern America. Kenneth J. Heineman reveals the profoundly religious nature of contemporary conservatism, offering an intriguing look at the social history of moral politics over the last three decades, and the still tremulous aftershocks of the New Deal. With a new Preface that examines the Bush presidency, including a provocative analysis of his re-election, and the rising influence of the Conservative Right, God is a Conservative is essential reading for understanding today's American political landscape.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814735541
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	08/01/1998
Pages:	343
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Kenneth J. Heineman is Professor of History and Department Chair at Angelo State University. He is the author of Campus Wars: The Peace Movement At American State Universityies in the Vietnam Era (NYU Press, 1992), God Is a Conservative: Religion, Politics, and Morality in Contemporary America (NYU Press, 1998), A Catholic New Deal: Religion and Reform in Depression Pittsburgh, and Put Your Bodies Upon The Wheels: Student Revolt in the 1960s.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Paperback Edition
Preface
Introduction: Heaven Can't Wait
1 Reaping the Whirlwind: 1968
2 Deluge '7
3 J. C. Saves in '76
4 The Great Awakening: 1980
5 "It's Morning in America": 1984
6 " A Thousand Points of Light": 1988
7 "Godspeak": 1992
8 "Don't Ask , Don't Tell" : 1996
Epilogue: There Is No Money in Social Conservatism
Notes
Index
About the Author

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Heineman's writing style is lively and engaging. The chief merit of the book is its display of the deep divisions between liberals and conservatives that are at work in both parties.”
-Journal of the American Academy of Religion

,

“Objective and analytical, written in a lively, nonacademic style, God Is a Conservative will be . . . interesting to anyone with a passion for Contemporary American politics.”
-CHOICE

,

“In this excellent and readable examination of current conservative politics, Heineman traces the political history of the past 30 years, placing special emphasis on the role of religious and social conservatism.”
-Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

Heineman's writing style is lively and engaging. The chief merit of the book is its display of the deep divisions between liberals and conservatives that are at work in both parties.”
-Journal of the American Academy of Religion

“Objective and analytical, written in a lively, nonacademic style, God Is a Conservative will be . . . interesting to anyone with a passion for Contemporary American politics.”
-CHOICE

From the Publisher

In this excellent and readable examination of current conservative politics, Heineman (history, Ohio Univ.) traces the political history of the past 30 years, placing special emphasis on the role of religious and social conservatism. The author is especially good at showing the shifting relationships among such groups as fiscal and moral conservatives, Catholics and fundamentalists, and libertarians and moderate republicans. Because these alliances change from issue to issue, gauging the direction and strength of conservatism in any political situation proves very difficult. Yet Heineman argues that there is always tremendous potential for conservatism to emerge when the religious aspects become prominent. In his epilog, "There Is No Money in Social Conservatism," Heineman suggests that the appearence of a form of moral populism may bring many aspects of the system together on some kind of common ground. Recommended for academic and public libraries.--C. Robert Nixon, Lafayette, IN

Library Journal

"Objective and analytical, written in a lively, nonacademic style, God Is a Conservative will be . . . interesting to anyone with a passion for Contemporary American politics."

CHOICE

"Heineman's writing style is lively and engaging. The chief merit of the book is its display of the deep divisions between liberals and conservatives that are at work in both parties"

Journal of the American Academy of Religion