Something Within Religion in African-American Political Activism [Hardcover]

One of the first book-length studies devoted to religion and African-American political activism in a generation,Something Withinexplores how Afro-Christianity, in various ways, promotes the political activism of African-Americans. Combining ethnography, history, contextual analysis, and survey research, this book illustrates the participatory effects of Afro-Christianity by examining its institutional, psychological, and cultural influences. Going beyond the opiate-inspiration debate that has dominated research on the subject, Author Fredrick C. Harris advances a new theory of religion as a political resource for a civic culture in opposition.

I. Introduction
II. When a Little Becomes Much: Religious Resources in Action
III. Prophetic Fragments: Macro and Micro Foundations of Religious Resources
IV. Religion Reconsidered: Black Protest and Electoral Activism in an Age of Transformation
V. Blessed Assurance: Religion, Personal Empowerment, and African-American Political Activism
VI. Rock in a Weary Land: Religion Institutions and African-American Political Activism
VII. Ties That Bind: Organizational and Psychological Dynamics of Religious Resources
VIII. The Last Shall Be First: Religion, Oppositional Culture, and African-American Political Mobilization
IX. In My Father's House: Religion and Gender in African-American Political Life
X. (Epilogue) It Remains to be Seen: Stability and Change in Religion and African-American Politics
Appendices
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Something Withinis a wonderful blend of statistical data and telling anecdotes, all pointing to the importance of the church in the politics of the African-American community. The book takes seriously the impact of religious belief and practice in empowering citizens to be politically active. This is a book that should be read by anyone interested in religion and politics, in the role of voluntary associations in building civil solCÇ