20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America

Name: 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America
Brand: Christianaudio
Availability: InStock
Author: Ryan P. Burge
ISBN: 9781545921609

Author: Ryan P. Burge

Narrator: William Sarris

Unabridged: 5 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Christian Audio

Published: 05/24/2022

Categories: Nonfiction, Religion, Religious Leadership, Christian Ministry

Synopsis

The way most people think about religion and politics is only loosely linked to empirical reality, argues Ryan P. Burge in 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America. Instead, our thinking is based on anecdotes, a quick scan of news headlines, or worse, flat-out lies told by voices trying to push a religious or political agenda on a distracted public.

Burge sees this fundamentally flawed understanding of the world around us and our misperceptions about where we fit into the larger fabric of society as caustic for the future of American politics and religion. Without an accurate picture of our society, when we subscribe to only caricatures of what our country looks like, we never really address the problems facing us.

Striving to be an impartial referee, Burge describes with accessible and engaging prose what the data says. Step by step, he debunks twenty myths, using rigorous data analysis and straightforward explanations. He gives listeners the resources to adopt an empirical view of the world that can help all of us, religious and nonreligious alike, get past at least some of the unsupported beliefs that divide us.

About Ryan P. Burge

Ryan Burge is an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, where also serves as the graduate coordinator. He has authored over thirty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters alongside four books about religion and politics in the United States. He written for the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in an NBC Documentary, on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, as well as 60 Minutes which called him, "one of the country’s leading data analysts on religion and politics." He has served as a pastor in the American Baptist Church for over twenty years and has been married to his wife Jacqueline for over fifteen years. They have two boys.

Reviews

Goodreads review by George P.

In 1879, Hill’s Manual of Social and Business Forms stated this rule of conversational etiquette: “Do not discuss politics or religion in general company. You probably would not convert your opponent, and he will not convert you. To discuss those topics is to arouse feeling without any good resu......more

Goodreads review by Tyler

Great book! Read mostly the last two days. The conclusions are very helpful and he does a great job naming the limitations of his data. Very clearly written and helpful to provide empathy to others across political and theological lines. Loved his conclusion to the book as well and think we all need......more

Goodreads review by Darren

An excellent and encouraging look at religion and politics in my country. Burge has very good advice at the end about engaging in fruitful conversations rather than impotent fights.......more

Goodreads review by Angie

Kinda interesting. I learned a lot. Free on audible for audible plus members......more

Goodreads review by Zach

Burge, a political science professor and pastor, has given us a treasure here with his expertise in the current American cultural moment. Though I don't regularly consume corporate media, there are still "myths" which we subscribe to, whatever our own stances and beliefs, and this book is a helpful......more