American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country

In this thoroughly reported and illuminating debut, Religion News Service journalist Jenkins examines issues important to the religious left today. Through a panoply of portraits, Jenkins contends that the spiritual and “moral center” of America can be found within the liberal wing, and he devotes chapters to individual topics, including health care, electoral politics, racism, police violence, immigration, environmentalism, economic inequality, LGBTQ equality, hate crimes, and multifaith work. A particularly revealing section details his reporting on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, where Hawaiian tribal elders successfully protested to halt the environmentally destructive construction of a large telescope. His investigation into Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Ariz., a church that has become a bedrock of the New Sanctuary movement sheltering the undocumented, is also a highlight. This revelatory history about the intersection of progressive politics and religion in America will appeal to political junkies. (Apr.)