E-Book Overview
Is there a controversial issue in the contemporary world that does not involve religion? Whether it's a debate over the beginning of life, or on sexuality and family life, or on the stewardship of humans over the environment, almost all of the most contentious matters that impact today's society involve people's deeply held religious beliefs. Battleground: Religion helps clarify these complex topics by examining how various religious beliefs and practices impact current political, social, and cultural debates. Each of the approximately 100 entries examines a hot-button issue—from war and peace to the culture wars—and discusses, in a balanced and objective way, the points of view on these topics from all parts of the religious spectrum. Students will come away from Battleground: Religion with a better understanding of the issues that they will be encountering for years to come.Each entry includes a bibliography or resources for further information.
E-Book Content
BATTLEGROUND RELIGION VOLUME 1 (A–G)
Edited by Daniel L. Smith-Christopher
GREENWOOD PRESS Westport, Connecticut • London
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Battleground religion / edited by Daniel L. Smith-Christopher. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–0–313–34098–7 (set: alk. paper) ISBN 978–0–313–34099–4 (vol. 1: alk. paper) ISBN 978–0–313–34100–7 (vol. 2: alk. paper) 1. Religion and sociology. I. Smith-Christopher, Daniel L. BL60.B315 2009 200—dc22 2008038760 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2009 by Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008038760 ISBN: 978–0-313–34098–7 (set) 978–0-313–34099–4 (vol. 1) 978–0-313–34100–7 (vol. 2) First published in 2009 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS Guide to Related Topics Series Foreword Introduction
ix xiii xv
Entries: Abortion
1
Addiction and Recovery
10
AIDS
17
Aliens
23
Amish
30
Animal Sacrifice
37
Animation as a New Medium
44
Anti-Catholicism and American Politics
49
Apocalypticism and Nuclear War
54
Bible and Poverty
63
Birth Control and Family Planning
69
Capital Punishment
77
Capitalism and Socialism
83
v
vi
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Contents
Christian Zionism
89
Civil Disobedience
97
Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal in America
104
Cloning
114
Cosmology
119
“Deep Ecology” and Radical Environmentalism
127
Divorce
133
Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide
141
Evangelical Christianity in America
153
Evangelical Men’s Movements
160
Evangelicals and Environmentalism
167
Evolution versus Creationism in Public Schools
174
Faith-Based Health Care, Religious Morality, and Institutional Policies
183
Female Subordination in Christian Thought
191
Gambling and the Religious Conscience
199
Genetic Research
206
Genocide
211
Global Warming and Prosperity Theology
217
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