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kristenmstewart's review against another edition
5.0
This is an enjoyable series of vignettes describing leaders associated with the religious left, though most of them wouldn't embrace that term. There is a good deal of reporting on different movements and moments in the last five years or so and how religious leaders played a part. Jack is a journalist, not a sociologist or a historian, so it is shorter on conclusions, but if you read between the lines of his analysis, there is plenty here to diagnose why the religious left doesn't function like the religious right does. (9/10).
tonytrlin's review against another edition
2.0
Things change fast. Most of the information in this book might have been true at the time of writing but it feels very dated now. The authors optimism about progressive religion reads very naive now. It’s hard to find any spaces in public life where progressive Christians have a serious/relevant presence in 2022. I hope it doesn’t stay this way…
davehershey's review against another edition
4.0
The Religious Left is notoriously difficult to define. This is partly because many who appear solidly to fit the description, defy the title. In this book, Jenkins sets out to tell stories of the Religious Left and their impact on politics in the last two decades. When I first saw this book, I thought it was more of a history of the roots of the Religious Left, somewhat similar to Kevin Kruse’s book on the origins of the Religious Right in the 1930s. While Jenkins briefly mentions some of this older history, this is not a history book. Or at least, its a history book of the first 20 years of the 21st century.
This is a helpful, even necessary, book. The Religious Right dominates the religiously informed political discourse in America. “Evangelical” has basically become a synonym for Republican. If you’re actively religious, in the eyes of non-religious people, the assumption is you are conservative and Republican. The reality is that there is a vibrant, energetic, diverse and passionate Religious Left. Unlike the Religious Right, which is overwhelmingly white and Christian, the Religious Left is much more ethnically and religiously diverse.
It reminds me of a conversation I had prior to the last presidential election. An acquaintance of mine, himself a conservative Christian, stated that the majority of Christians will vote for Trump. After I held in my vomit, I pointed out that such a statement is racist, since the truth is while most white evangelical Christians did vote Trump, nearly 90% of black Christians vote Democrat. Apparently, these religiously motivated voters were not even on his radar.
Jenkins’ book helps put such voters on our radar. He writes of Catholic nuns who advocated for the Affordable Care Act and the Obama campaign’s outreach to religious folks. He introduces readers to LGBTQ religious activists as well Native Americans, Jews and Muslims. In the end, we see a wide-ranging and diverse movement.
As someone who grew up in a white conservative evangelical tradition and has since moved to the left, I loved this book. I was familiar with some of these stories and people, but enjoyed learning more. Personally, I hope the Religious Left continues to grow. The way things have continued to deteriorate since the last election, we need the Religious Left.
I suppose the only thing I wish this book had was some sort of index of organizations and ways to get involved. Overall though, great book.
This is a helpful, even necessary, book. The Religious Right dominates the religiously informed political discourse in America. “Evangelical” has basically become a synonym for Republican. If you’re actively religious, in the eyes of non-religious people, the assumption is you are conservative and Republican. The reality is that there is a vibrant, energetic, diverse and passionate Religious Left. Unlike the Religious Right, which is overwhelmingly white and Christian, the Religious Left is much more ethnically and religiously diverse.
It reminds me of a conversation I had prior to the last presidential election. An acquaintance of mine, himself a conservative Christian, stated that the majority of Christians will vote for Trump. After I held in my vomit, I pointed out that such a statement is racist, since the truth is while most white evangelical Christians did vote Trump, nearly 90% of black Christians vote Democrat. Apparently, these religiously motivated voters were not even on his radar.
Jenkins’ book helps put such voters on our radar. He writes of Catholic nuns who advocated for the Affordable Care Act and the Obama campaign’s outreach to religious folks. He introduces readers to LGBTQ religious activists as well Native Americans, Jews and Muslims. In the end, we see a wide-ranging and diverse movement.
As someone who grew up in a white conservative evangelical tradition and has since moved to the left, I loved this book. I was familiar with some of these stories and people, but enjoyed learning more. Personally, I hope the Religious Left continues to grow. The way things have continued to deteriorate since the last election, we need the Religious Left.
I suppose the only thing I wish this book had was some sort of index of organizations and ways to get involved. Overall though, great book.
daxdaxdax's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I think the book does a fine job of covering the topics that it chose to cover. I was maybe expecting or hoping for some more depth in terms of philosophical and historical origins of progressive movements. That seems to be what the subtitle's "roots" alludes to, but the book doesn't really get into that. As an overview of current religious progressive movements, it is informative though.
bookbutch's review against another edition
4.0
I was not aware of the Religious Left at all and found this is an amazing rallying cry for social justice advocates in faith communities and a nice beacon of hope in face of our current dumpster fire of an administration. Discusses Obama’s influence by RL advocates in a way I had never fully heard of or considered.
Shows faith groups grappling with their conservative faiths, and reimagining and reclaiming their doctrine. Discusses a wide variety of religions and denominations, as well as many advocates I would have expected in a book about progressive politics and faith-based advocacy.
Covers the issues around: BLM and black liberation theology, queer rights and queer theology, islamaphobia and anti-semitism, environmental and indigenous advocacy, capitalism and liberation theology, and immigration.
Shows faith groups grappling with their conservative faiths, and reimagining and reclaiming their doctrine. Discusses a wide variety of religions and denominations, as well as many advocates I would have expected in a book about progressive politics and faith-based advocacy.
Covers the issues around: BLM and black liberation theology, queer rights and queer theology, islamaphobia and anti-semitism, environmental and indigenous advocacy, capitalism and liberation theology, and immigration.
mhuntone's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this on audio- a pretty broad-ranged look at current faith influences on progressive politics. As a Christian with a strong progressive moral worldview, this book was comforting to see the wide range of people who also are driven by their faith to promote progressive causes. It was also really interesting to see the wide range of religious influences, not just from Christians, but also from Jewish, Muslim, Native American spiritualism and other faiths. The only downside is that because it covered such a wide range, it felt like none of them get really deep. Also, personally, I wanted more depth about the specific theologies and scriptural analyses that drives involvement in progressive politics. That isn't really what this book is though, so don't know that its a knock on the book. Overall, really interesting read that just felt a little more like a long news article than and in depth exploration of progressive faith in politics.
segreene111's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful stories of those who are compelled by their faith to make a difference in the political sphere as activists, protesters, policy makers, and speakers for the voiceless.
codyboteler's review against another edition
4.0
A really well-written book that takes an in-depth look at a contemporary and often under-studied part of American life. Some parts are admittedly dense, with lots of names talking about who did what, and some parts are crying out for a bit more story and a bit less of a listing of facts — two factors that kept me from giving this five stars. But Jack Jenkins is a great reporter and author, and I’m excited to see what he’s got coming next.
davidmorris's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so appreciative of this book as I really needed more education on the public policy work that progressive faith leaders have been up to. Jenkins is of course uniquely qualified to write this book with his background and ongoing reporting work, and his writing here gives the reader assurance that they now know who is who and what the issues are. I agree with another reviewer that there were sections that were quite moving and inspiring about the good work going on, if not also the sacrifices.
meaganchurch's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting look at the efforts of the Religious Left through a series of vignettes that take an in-depth look at leaders who have been working within the movement for years. A refreshing read for those frustrated with the predominant coverage of the Religious Right when it comes to the intersection of faith and politics.