Spring Break
Author looks at progressive, religious ideas
Jones argues that there is a 'religious left' in America trying to unite the country instead of dividing it by partisanship
Caitlin Cagle
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: News
Robert P. Jones, author of "Progressive and Religious: How Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist Leaders are Moving Beyond the Culture Wars and Transforming Life" and president of Public Religion Research, gave a lecture last night in Gilfillan Auditorium.
Jones conducted interviews and various forms of research pertaining to the growing concerns of separatism and partisan beliefs in religion and the emerging progressive religious movement.
"I started the book after the '04 election," Jones said, "because I was disturbed at how religion was used as a partisan tool to divide America."
Jones argues that much of America believes that there is only a conservative side to religion; however, there is a sort of "religious left" out there.
"I tried to find the other side of religious America. The more conservative voices and the media portray two issues concerning religion and politics - that of abortion and gay marriage. But there are other religious voices, those that advocate a wide variety of issues like social justice, the war in Iraq and other things of major concern."
In recent elections, issues have come up concerning what Jones coins "prophetic patriotism," a form of patriotism that comes from critiquing the United States and its government when it strays from its original ideals and values.
"Many times in the '04 election, and even in the most recent election, critiquing your country has been seen as a form of anti-patriotism and has earned a negative connotation. But there are some that believe that 'prophetic patriotism' is the highest form of patriotism," Jones said.
Jones interviewed many well-known religious leaders across the country. He gathered information about a new progressive area of religion - one that bridges the gap between right and left partisan politics and tries to bring together the religious groups of America under the ideals and beliefs that the country was based on.
"Oregon is one of the least religious states in America," said Courtney Campbell, the Hundere Professor in Religion and Culture. "I think the community and the students need to be informed of this new religious movement. There is this whole other side of American religiosity that is trying to bring everyone together."
The lecture was free and open to both students and the community. Its purpose was to inform everyone about the change in religious America.
"Religion is a central component to many of the world's issues," Campbell said.
"I think it's important that more of us are aware that the American religious landscape is now changing and going in a more progressive direction."
Caitlin Cagle, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Jones conducted interviews and various forms of research pertaining to the growing concerns of separatism and partisan beliefs in religion and the emerging progressive religious movement.
"I started the book after the '04 election," Jones said, "because I was disturbed at how religion was used as a partisan tool to divide America."
Jones argues that much of America believes that there is only a conservative side to religion; however, there is a sort of "religious left" out there.
"I tried to find the other side of religious America. The more conservative voices and the media portray two issues concerning religion and politics - that of abortion and gay marriage. But there are other religious voices, those that advocate a wide variety of issues like social justice, the war in Iraq and other things of major concern."
In recent elections, issues have come up concerning what Jones coins "prophetic patriotism," a form of patriotism that comes from critiquing the United States and its government when it strays from its original ideals and values.
"Many times in the '04 election, and even in the most recent election, critiquing your country has been seen as a form of anti-patriotism and has earned a negative connotation. But there are some that believe that 'prophetic patriotism' is the highest form of patriotism," Jones said.
Jones interviewed many well-known religious leaders across the country. He gathered information about a new progressive area of religion - one that bridges the gap between right and left partisan politics and tries to bring together the religious groups of America under the ideals and beliefs that the country was based on.
"Oregon is one of the least religious states in America," said Courtney Campbell, the Hundere Professor in Religion and Culture. "I think the community and the students need to be informed of this new religious movement. There is this whole other side of American religiosity that is trying to bring everyone together."
The lecture was free and open to both students and the community. Its purpose was to inform everyone about the change in religious America.
"Religion is a central component to many of the world's issues," Campbell said.
"I think it's important that more of us are aware that the American religious landscape is now changing and going in a more progressive direction."
Caitlin Cagle, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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