Description: "An important concept that scholars have used to help understand the relationship between religion and the American nation and polity has been 'civil religion.' A seminal article by Robert Bellah appeared just over fifty years ago. A multi-disciplinary array of scholars in this volume assess the concept's origins, history, and continued usefulness. In a period of great political polarization, considering whether there is hope for a unifying value and belief system seems more important than ever"--
Brief description: Philip Goff is Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture and Chancellor's Professor of American Studies and Religious Studies at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Review Quotes: "The book successfully demonstrates the lasting viability and importance of civil religion as an idea and analytical category."-- "Reading Religion"