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Zusatztext 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. While much of his tone is positive! Danforth doesn’t refrain from criticizing modern politicians! far-right Christian activists and what he calls a coarsening! increasingly self-centered society. . . . 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 “In The Relevance of Religion! 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. The Relevance of Religion summarizes the lessons of a life of service! and makes an urgent plea for the humane values that often come from faith. It is an admirable book rooted in an admirable life.” —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. The Relevance of Religion will surely become a permanent fixture in my courses on religion and politics. What better remedy for mending our broken politics?” —Charles Marsh! Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies! University of Virginia Praise for John Danforth’s Faith and Politics “Few Americans bring more experience in both religion and politics to the table than Danforth! an Episcopalian priest and a former senator! ambassador to the United Nations! and special envoy to Sudan! where he helped broker the accord ending a long civil war that had taken on overtones of a Christian-Muslim religious conflict. His current book is both a plea and a warning.” —Foreign Affairs “Essential reading for Americans trying to move beyond the corrosive standoff between the religious right and the secular left.” —The Washington Post “Danforth brings exceptional insight to the debate about the political use of religion and the separation of church and state. . . . This incredibly thoughtful book will give pause to readers of all political and religious beliefs.” —Booklist (starred review) “Danforth! a Missouri Republican as well as a lawyer and Episcopal minister! tended to avoid nasty partisan politics during his three terms in the U.S. Senate. . . . Danforth comes across as a welcome paragon of virtue.” —Publishers Weekly Informationen zum Autor John Danforth graduated from Princeton University! Yale Divinity School! and Yale Law School. He practiced law in New York City and St. Louis before serving as attorney general of Missouri! United States senator from Missouri! and United States representative to the United Nations. An ordained Episcopal priest! he is the author of Faith and Politics and Resurrection: The Confirmation of Clarence Thomas . He lives in St. Louis. CHAP...
