Democracy and the Christian Churches: Ecumenism and the Politics of Belief

Description

How has Christianity engaged with democracy? In this authoritative new treatment of a sometimes troubled relationship, Donald Norwood reflects on the way that democracy has become, especially under the auspices of the United Nations and the World Council of Churches, not just an ideal but a universally applicable moral principle. Yet, as the author demonstrates, faith and democracy have not always sat comfortably together. For example, the Vatican has dealt harshly with radical theologians such as Leonardo Boff and Hans Kung; while churches with a dictatorial style have all too often shown a willingness to accommodate authoritarian regimes and even dictators. Norwood argues that if democracy is a universal norm, a basic right, it is not possible for the Church to be indifferent to its claims. Offering a sustained exposition - from Marsilius of Padua to Christian Democracy and Christian Socialism - of the often uneasy interaction between Christianity and democratic politics as both idea and ideal, this is a major contribution to church history and to wider topical debates in politics and religious studies.

Get the book

Amazon.com

Search the book

eBay.com

Search the book

Similar books

• 

  El Salvador: The Face of Revolution

  By Robert Armstrong, Janet Shenk

  Two of the leading U.S. experts on Central America provide the definitive study of the history and reality of the situation in El Salvador through the early 1980s.

• 

  Les "chrétiens modérés" en France et en Europe, 1870-1960

  By Jacques Prévotat, Jean Vavasseur-Desperriers

  Il est alors fortement inspiré par le courant de cette « école mystique de Lyon >> qui l'a fait rencontrer des ... J. Buche, L'École mystique de Lyon {1776—1847}, op. cit. ; B. Benoit, L'Identité politique de Lyon, op. cit., p. 85. 39.

• 

  Jean Lecanuet

  By Nadine-Josette Chaline

  résolument en défendant pied à pied les intérêts français mais avancer vers les États - Unis d'Europe ; créer la prospérité , la faire partager à tous les Français et d'abord aux plus humbles ; animer nos régions ; faire une France ...

• 

  L'Europe, incarnation de la démocratie chrétienne: un dialogue

  By Charles Delamare, Francis Olivier

  La civilisation judéo-chrétienne est en voie de disparition.