Left Hand of God, The: Healing America’s Political and Spiritual Crisis - Couverture souple

Lerner, Michael

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0061146625 ISBN 13 : 9780061146626

Editeur : HarperOne, 2007

Synopsis

Book by Lerner Michael

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

The unholy alliance of the Political Right and the Religious Right threatens to destroy the America we love. It also threatens to generate a popular aversion to God and religion by identifying religious values with a pro-war, pro-business, pro-rich, anti-science, and anti-environmental stance.

Over the past few decades, the Republicans have achieved political dominance by forging a union with the Religious Right. This marriage has provided a sanctimonious veneer for policies that have helped the rich get richer while ignoring the needs of the middle class and the poor, dismantling environmental and civil liberties protections, and seeking global domination. The Right champions the materialism and ruthless selfishness promoted by unrestrained capitalism and then laments the moral crises of family instability and loneliness experienced by people who bring these commercial values into their homes and personal lives. In response, the Religious Right offers insular communities for the faithful and a culture that blames liberals, activist judges, homosexuals, independent women, and all secular people for the moral and spiritual emptiness so many Americans experience.

Yet, however distorted both the Right's analysis and its solutions to America's spiritual crisis may be, it wins allegiance by addressing the human hunger for a life with some higher purpose. The Left, by contrast, remains largely tone-deaf to the spiritual needs of the American people. It is the yearning for meaning in life, not just the desire for money or power, that lies at the core of American politics.

Addressing the central mystery of contemporary politics -- why so many Americans vote against their own economic interests -- The Left Hand of God provides an invaluable, timely, and blunt critique of the current state of faith in government. Lerner challenges the Left to give up its deeply held fear of religion and to distinguish between a domination-oriented, Right-Hand-of-God tradition and a more compassionate and hope-oriented Left-Hand-of-God worldview. Further, Lerner describes the ways that Democrats have misunderstood and alienated significant parts of their potential constituency. To succeed again, Lerner argues, the Democratic Party must rethink its relationship to God, champion a progressive spiritual vision, reject the old bottom line that promotes the globalization of selfishness, and deal head-on with the very real spiritual crisis that many Americans experience every day.

Lerner presents a vision that incorporates and then goes far beyond contemporary liberal and progressive politics. He argues for a new bottom line in our economy, schools, and government. This is a fundamentally fresh approach, one that takes spiritual needs seriously in our economic and political lives. Presenting an eight-point progressive spiritual covenant with America, Lerner provides a blueprint for how the Democratic Party can effectively challenge the Right and position itself to win the White House and Congress. By appealing to religious, secular, and spiritual but not necessarily religious people, The Left Hand of God blazes a trail that could change our world and reclaim America from the Religious Right.

Revue de presse :

“Just sharing these profound ideas that Lerner presents in such an accessible manner is itself a great contribution you could make to healing our country” (Cornel West, author of Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism)

“The Left Hand of God is essential reading for everyone concerned about the future of this country.” (Fritjof Capra)

“[A] practical, compelling vision of a politics of generosity.” (Walter Bruggemann)

“Lerner’s spiritually based politics is just what this country needs.” (Tony Campolo)

“Lerner’s proposal is a visionary response to this urgent need ...” (Richard Gere)

“A brilliant and penetrating analysis of the way religion is now used politically .... ” (John Shelby Spong)

“[T]his book pulsates with life and spirit and the passion of the prophets of old. Bravo! ” (Matthew Fox)

“Lerner is a rare voice of sanity and intelligence in a nation where our moral values have been corrupted ....” (Howard Zinn)

“An insightful, inspiring book by Rabbi Lerner that can put America back on track.” (Arun Gandhi, president, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence)

“[T]he blueprint for transforming the conscious heart of a nation ....” (Michael Franti, Musician)

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: HarperOne
• Date d'édition: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0061146625
• ISBN 13: 9780061146626
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 416