Faith and Politics: How the "Moral Values" Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together

by John C. Danforth

A former U.S. senator and ordained Episcopal priest examines the controversial intersection of faith and politics in America

As a former three-term Republican U.S. senator from Missouri and an ordained Episcopal priest, John C. Danforth has watched the changes in his party and the church with growing alarm. After penning two op-eds for The New York Times criticizing the right for its focus on wedge issues—abortion, stem-cell research, gay marriage, the Schiavo case, the public display of religion—that drive people apart, he speaks out again to call for a change.

“The Republican Party has been taken over by something that it’s not,” Danforth says. “People do not want a sectarian political party, including a lot of people who are traditional Republicans.” In Faith and Politics, Danforth provides suggestions for moving toward a more secular Republican party that inspires trust in the people of the United States. Based on years of hard- won political experience and a life of religious service, he calls for Christians to look to the Bible and Christian teachings for ways in which they can practice their faith day to day and turn the country’s focus to a common ground once more.

As a respected former senator, special envoy for peace in Sudan, priest, as an author, Senator Danforth is uniquely qualified to call for the change we so desperately need. He writes openly about his political life and ambition, humbly about his achievements, and above all with clarity and reason that both Republicans and Democrats hear all too little of.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity, History, Memoir, Faith

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

John Claggett Danforth (born September 5, 1936) is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations. Before becoming the UN Ambassador he was the Attorney General of Missouri and United States Senator from Missouri. He is also an ordained Episcopal priest.

Reviews

[James Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

At its core, Danforth's book is a study of Christians who choose to participate in the reconciling & healing church, or the divisive church.

Divisive church Christians include the contemporary religious right, which uses wedge issues in order to transform religious convictions into political policy.

Reconciling Christians use faith to inform and guide their political participation, leading to secular political policy generated by and among people of good will whether or not they carry a given religious conviction.

Danforth very clearly identifies with the reconciling church. Because he is an ordained Episcopalian priest, he is able to argue very thoughtfully from scripture -- Paul's Letter to the Romans gets extended treatment. Because he has been a career politician, he clearly can apply the scriptural lessons to the secular rough and tumble of the lawmaking process and to the need for politicians to work across boundaries in order to do Christian work -- feed famine stricken people in Cambodia, for instance, or mitigate civil war in Sudan, or in the context of domestic politics, rebuild the centrist coalition.

The result is not what you might expect from a religious Republican. His assertions on topics like gay marriage, cross-aisle politics, judicial appointments, and even abortion (for which he has been a vocal opponent, but not for the reasons you might think) paint a remarkably liberal canvas. At times his conclusions even sound somewhat progressive.

Although he wrote this book twelve years ago, his observations remain mostly on point today in the Trump era, where the divisive church is even more active than it was earlier in the century. John Danforth today would not be viable within the Trumpian Republican party. His ethical centrist coalition is a distant memory. Even his commitment to a classic small government, free trade, low tax style of conservatism would open him to attack from the right in today's party.

He would find much more room to move in today's Democratic Party, even as a pro-life politician. (Danforth in this area actually resembles President Carter, who is pro-life as a matter of religious and personal conviction, but pro-choice in the context of public policy. Like Danforth, Carter concluded long ago that Christ was teaching reconciliation, not division, and that Paul's admonition not to "conform with the world" taught that private convictions and public policy should not be and need not be the same thing in all instances).

Discussions of race predate the Obama administrations and therefore are stale. Not only has much water passed beneath that bridge, but resurgent white supremacy in the wake of the Obama presidency should force a rewrite of the religious forces at play within the racial realities in the country. One hopes that Senator Danforth will find the motivation to publish a revised and extended edition of this book in order to address racial issues in the post-Obama/marching Nazi era.

I'm as lefty as they come in many ways, but I value and admire this book and this former Senator because it and he demonstrate one way to move forward through pervasive divisiveness and still achieve relevant public policy informed by the highest moral standards.

That's a big deal.

[G.H. Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be poorly rated because it's not what you think. Considering the author and his credentials, you might think that this book would be a game plan for the radical ryte (misspelled intentionally so as to avoid confusion with the word "right", which is the opposite of "wrong"). This book takes the radical ryte to task (along with the radical left) and calls for people to use their religion as a unifying force rather than a divisive force. I am enjoying the read immensely and feel that I am a better person for having read it

[Cherif Jazra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a casual and easy read. The topics are important however, as former republican Senator John Danforth from Missouri, an ordained Episcopalian priest as well as a lawyer, analyses the role of faith in politics, with a critical eye towards the hijacking of the Republican Party by the Christian Right. On various topics such as public display of religion, abortion, stem cell research, and gay marriage, the senator shows that the religious right has been playing a divisive role in politics, using wedge issues to advance its own ideological agenda. He believes a more centrist Christian voice should be represented and advocates for a ministry of reconciliation, using the commandment of Love, whereas Christian should not take any side but practice and advocate reconciliation in the political sphere. In his last chapter, he draws lessons for political guidance from the 12th chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans in the New Testament. Danforth also provide insights into his own life, such as the effect of his brother's sickness with ALS that justified his stand in favor of stem cell research, or how his schedule and social status affected his wife and daughters. He also, somewhat awkwardly, often candidly reveals how he acts in his own personal interest as a candidate to an election, such as when he attended church services to get a parish support, or when he acknowledges not wanting to meet with constituents who have issues he preferred not to deal with, such as gay activists. But overall, the book portrays a somewhat gentle persona, not aggressive in his politics, but not shy of getting into some fights with his party. His tone of moderation mainly provides an alternative to the loud voices of the Christian rights which he sees after all taking part and causing even more polarization of the political climate. Throughout the book, he bemoans the collapse of the center. An insightful read overall.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book I saw 'wedge issues' as a way to define candidates. Pro-choice vs. pro-life etc. After reading this book, I think I'll have a lot harder time deciding which politicians to vote for and trying to decide which issues are the most important to consider when voting. It will be difficult to look past wedge issues in our modern mass media politics, but if we really can't agree on some important things, it doesn't mean we can't find agreeable solutions to other important matters.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

It ended up being lots better than I had expected. Well written and not inflammatory, it gives you a good look at where we are at. The suggestions on how to fix this problem are common sense and physically easy. It’s probably why it hasn’t changed yet.

[J Robb]

p. 135 - Episcopal - The via media - "middle way" - between Catholics and Protestants
p. 135 - Description of Episcopal church as "reconciling force"
p. 136 - No fight like a "church fight"
p. 137 - Setting out the two different approaches with respect to faith in politics: (1) Our truth is God's truth and we seek to implement it in legislation or (2) More humble less aggressive, that God's truth is is larger that what man contrives - but advance God's kingdom - best can. What does it mean? The reconciling faith?
p. 146 - Effective politicians: Find a problem and solve it. Or, push wedge issues and resolve nothing. Want to be a wedge issue politician or a get things done politician
p. 150 - Reps are mean; dems are silly. One callas, the other inept.
p. 153 - Voters want a choice not an "echo"
p. 154 - Good statement how partisan politics get in way of making progress on serious issues - all talk - no do. Have let us to a stalemate.
p. 155 - Good statement of stalemate.

[Mike Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senator John Danforth from Missouri discusses how wedge issues of Christians are used as political leverage for policy. “Faith and Politics: How the 'Moral Values' Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together” was published in 2006. In the last twelve years, not much has changed, many of the same issues still divide the Conservatives and Liberals. Danforth is an ordained Episcopal priest, he used Paul's Letters to the Romans and Christ's life to emphasize the need for reconciliation over division. With today's political divide and uncivil debates, the book is worth your time.

[Josh Ehrich · Rating 1 out of 5]

So disappointed in this book. What’s clear is the man used Christians for votes and then after leaving office has decided to attack and degrade them. He claims to be a Christian yet says that all faiths lead to God. That is not Christianity. It is a denial of Christ. “No man comes to the father but by me.” In reality he denies the scriptures truth and pushes his own faith on others. Only Christians who are silent or accept his pseudo Christianity should participate in public life. It’s clear he doesn’t know any Christians because he mischaracterizes them. Not worth the read.

[e_miscellany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was surprisingly decent with pretty good ideas and the new approach to understanding how religion shouldn't be the identifier and proving politics to be right or wrong. Yet, overly Christianizing the writing itself didn't work out too well in terms of pushing humility to battle division. Considering the age of the book, I believe that little has changed and it's been reinforced over the last twenty years but we may hope to find a new structural solution

[Joshua Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read a few chapters of this book. But from what I read, former senator John Danforth was great at balancing between being a fulltime United States senator and family man, which was no easy task.

[Sabra Ann Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

he brought some really good points to my attention that i had not thought of before.... another book that should probably b read before every election year.

[Shane Fritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked and respected the author as a man, a politician, a Christian. I learned a lot.

[Gilberto Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always skeptical when I see a book about politics written by a politician. Of course, one would think politicians would provide a wealth of information in their books. At this point my faith in our politicians has waned to the point that I rarely pick up their books. This one was different because it tackled religious faith and how the author balanced his faith in a political arena - in the U.S. Senate. The only reason I picked up the book was because of the title.

The book didn't pull me in to read more most likely because it's not full of data. I took it in a piece at a time, and not in order. But it is well written and not too long for me. I struggle to commit on a long book, unless there is a lot I can get from it. This book was an appropriate length (230 pages).

There are three points made in the book I found most interesting. The first is the author's mention of how the Christian right have become such a driver in the direction of the Republican party and has been pulling the party further to the right - leaving moderates to be a dying breed. Another is his view on stem cell research and how his experience with the death of his brother affected his own perspective on the research. The final - my favorite - is the chapter called "Paul's Primer for Politics." This chapter opens up about our human side, that we are imperfect and need to work together. He leverages the writing of St. Paul in the New Testament to cleverly make his points.

Of course he does address many important current issues. I think it's a book every politician should read and ponder.

[Michale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this because my husband really liked it. i did not. somehow, he just rubbed me the wrong way. While I appreciate his discussion of developing a "ministry of reconciliation" within Christianity to use as the proper approach to political debate, and his criticism of nasty partisan politics, I was distinctly unimpressed with his protestations that his good friend Clarence Thomas had suffered so unfairly during his nomination process. Danforth is certain that the allegations against this friend must be untrue because Thomas is just such a kind man. The only time I really felt moved was when he discussed his work in the Sudan, but his description of how honored he felt to be acting as The President's man on the ground just exacerbated my cynicism about even that work.

[Chris Csergei · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting at times, and I think he had a few ideas, but overall it was an unbalanced presentation. He seems to blame conservative Christians for modern partisanship, and his solution seems to be the increased involvement of all people of faith to dilute the effect of the Christian right. He seems to long of the old days of the Republican Party, which is interesting since at the time the party was pretty marginalized. Republicans went something ling like 40 years without having a majority in the house. The entire book lacks an historic perspective on politics, only focusing on the time period that Danforth has been active in politics. This leads him to some short sighted conclusions.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easily-read, enjoyable analysis of the state of American politics and the silence of the political center and true moderates. Danforth speaks across political lines as he argues that the Christian Right does not have a monopoly on faith, values and morality. However, by claiming them as their own and focusing energy on wedge issues, they have created a political atmosphere so divided that deadlock is the norm. If the American government is to move forward and resolve any of the key issues of our day, today's politicians should heed his words.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Danforth, a Republican Episcopal minister explains when the religious right took hold of the Republican party.
Although the reading can be tedious, with Biblical quotes, Mr.Danforth eloquently explains why it is important to keep politics and religion separate. He also give his opinion on the damage that the religious right is doing, by professing "God's Will", in the name of governmental decisions.

[Elizabeth Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, this is a must read for anyone who is concerned about the divisive issues that dominate our political scene...he makes a real and valid plea for us to work together and not concentrate on these issues that divide us..he has valuable knowledge having served as a senator in the US Congress and also is an Episcopal Minister...

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moderate republican former senator, who also is ordained in Episcopal church, writes about his perspective on the intersection of politics and faith - I really appreciated his perspective and can see how his calls to action could make a positive difference in our political world and to the Christian church.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senator Danforth is also an ordained Episcopal priest, so he speaks with authority on matters of moral values.
He retired from the Senate in 1995, back when there were still many moderate Republicans in government.
If more red-staters read this book, perhaps there would be more...

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a class at church and was not expecting to like it because I really can't stand the Republican Party right now. Maybe because I'm from Missouri, I related to Danforth and agreed with many of his ideas. Not going to convert to a Republican, but wish Danforth hadn't retired.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rev./Sen. Danforth argues that the religious right has corrupted the Republican Party and divided the nation. He recommends ways to bridge this divide and repair Jefferson's and Madison's wall between church and state.

[Tom Gorski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is like the man - moderate. However, in today's political world a bit more moderation would be welcome. He is the right person to point out his party's race to the right - moderately.

[Lori D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone with a political opinion should read this book. Hats off to Mr. Danforth!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I'm only giving it three because some parts put me to sleep.

[Barbara Ann]

Read it -

[EffinghamPL]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14210245