Laura R. Olson – författare

Explores the many factors shaping the level of political involvement displayed by urban Protestant clergy.In Filled with Spirit and Power, Laura R. Olson explores the variety of orientations urban Protestant clergy display regarding political involvement, as well as the many factors that shape their activity. In the typical urban setting of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the choices pastors make about political involvement are shaped in a profound way not only by their specific religious traditions, but also by the socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods in which they serve. Pastors who serve in economically disadvantaged central city neighborhoods spend the most time on politics, because they come into contact with poverty and its consequences on a daily basis.

In recent decades, Christian clergy have ever more frequently had to decide whether to become involved in politics. When they do become involved, their influence can be substantial. In this book Sue E. S. Crawford, Laura R. Olson, and their coauthors explore the political choices clergy make and the consequences of these choices. Drawing on personal interviews and statistical data to place the actions of clergy in both their religious and secular contexts, the authors study mainline and evangelical Protestant, Catholic, and Mennonite communities. They examine the role of white, African American, and female religious leaders. And they address issues of local development, city government, and national and international politics. Contributors: Christi J. Braun, Boston University School of Law * Timothy A. Byrnes, Colgate University * James C. Cavendish, University of South Florida * Sue E. S. Crawford, Creighton University * Katie Day, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia * Melissa M. Deckman, Washington College * Paul A. Djupe, Denison University * Joel S. Fetzer, Central Michigan University * James L. Guth, Furman University * Ted G.Jelen, University of Nevada-Las Vegas * Laura R. Olson, Clemson University * James M. Penning, Calvin College * Mary R. Sawyer, Iowa State University * Corwin E. Smidt, Calvin College

Religion and politics are never far from the headlines, but their relationship remains complex and often confusing. This book offers an engaging, accessible, and balanced treatment of religion in American politics. It explores the historical, cultural, and legal contexts that motivate religious political engagement and assesses the pragmatic and strategic political realities that religious organizations and people face. Incorporating the best and most current scholarship, the authors examine the evolving politics of Roman Catholics; evangelical and mainline Protestants; African-American and Latino traditions; Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities; recent immigrants and religious "nones"; and other conventional and not-so-conventional American religious movements.New to the Sixth Edition• Covers the 2016 election and assesses the role of religion from Obama to Trump.• Expands substantially on religion’s relationship to gender and sexuality, race, ethnicity, and class, and features the role of social media in religious mobilization.• Adds discussion questions at the end of every chapter, to help students gain deeper understanding of the subject.• Adds a new concluding chapter on the normative issues raised by religious political engagement, to stimulate lively discussions.

Religion and politics are never far from the headlines, but their relationship remains complex and often confusing. This book offers an engaging, accessible, and balanced treatment of religion in American politics. It explores the historical, cultural, and legal contexts that motivate religious political engagement and assesses the pragmatic and strategic political realities that religious organizations and people face. Incorporating the best and most current scholarship, the authors examine the evolving politics of Roman Catholics; evangelical and mainline Protestants; African-American and Latino traditions; Jews, Muslims, and other religious minorities; recent immigrants and religious "nones"; and other conventional and not-so-conventional American religious movements.New to the Sixth Edition• Covers the 2016 election and assesses the role of religion from Obama to Trump.• Expands substantially on religion’s relationship to gender and sexuality, race, ethnicity, and class, and features the role of social media in religious mobilization.• Adds discussion questions at the end of every chapter, to help students gain deeper understanding of the subject.• Adds a new concluding chapter on the normative issues raised by religious political engagement, to stimulate lively discussions.