The God Strategy How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America [Paperback]

This volume offers a timely and dynamic study of the rise of religion in American politics, examining the public messages of political leaders over the past seventy-five years. The authors show that U.S. politics today is defined by a calculated, deliberate, and partisan use of faith that is unprecedented in modern politics. Beginning with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, America has seen a no-holds-barred religious politics that seeks to attract voters, identify and attack enemies, and solidify power. Domke and Coe identify a set of religious signals sent by both Republicans and Democrats in speeches, party platforms, proclamations, visits to audiences of faith, and even celebrations of Christmas. The updated edition of this ground-breaking book includes a new preface, an updated analysis of the last Bush administration, as well as a new final chapter on the Jeremiah Wright controversy, the candidacies of Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin, and Barack Obama's victory.

Introduction A New Religious Politics
Chapter One One Nation Under God, Divisible
Chapter Two Political Priests
Chapter Three God and Country
Chapter Four Acts of Communion
Chapter Five Morality Politics
Chapter Six Religious Politics and Democratic Vitality
Chapter Seven Act II
Appendixes A to E

If you can read only one book on American politics and religion, this should be the one. --Southern Communication Journal

The God Strategy is a sobering look at just how deeply imbedded religion has become in the contemporary American political psyche. Both the person of faith and the non-believer should fear what is revealed in this carefully crafted review of modern campaign strategies to 'get the God vote'. Domke and Coe demonstrate, with stunningly clear examples, just how the union of government and religion tends to degrade the integrity of both. --Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State

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