Monthly Archives: November 2010

Mark Silk discussing Rod Dreher and American Grace

November 30, 2010
By tomsander

Excerpt: Rod Dreher, late of this site, put in an appearance yesterday in his old newspaper by way of a review essay on Robert Putnam and David Campbell’s hot new book, American Grace: How Religion Unites and Divides Us….

The …

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Rod Dreher’s “All-American Grace”

November 29, 2010
By tomsander

Flickr photo by jaxxon

Rod Dreher calls American Grace “indispensable”.  Excerpt from his Dallas Morning News piece:

The good news is that we Americans of different faith traditions get along remarkably well, not by casting aside religion, but…

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The Economist: “One Nation with Aunt Susan”

November 29, 2010
By tomsander

Excerpt from The Economist discussing Robert Putnam and David Campbell’s American Grace:

America’s religiosity has been extensively documented and should surprise no one. It is, Sarah Palin said in her own new book this week, “a prayerful country”….

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Religious more prone to being scammed?

November 23, 2010
By tomsander

Nicole Neroulias with the Religion News Service notes how many scams have preyed on the religious (Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baptists, black churches and other denominations, and even Utah Mormons).  Is there a pattern she asks?  Quite possibly:

Harvard scholar…

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Giving thanks very predictive

November 23, 2010
By tomsander

Flickr photo by jeffreylcohen

In American Grace, co-authors David Campbell and Robert Putnam, note how predictive saying grace before meals is.

Don’t expect a lot of households to suddenly switch to giving thanks on Thanksgiving.  With most variables, there is…

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Watch Putnam and Campbell on Fox and Friends

November 19, 2010
By tomsander

American Grace authors Robert Putnam and David Campbell discussed the book on Fox and Friends with Gretchen Carlson, November 19, 2010.

The short interview covers how younger Americans are more pro life and yet more tolerant of gays, the remarkable…

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Robert Putnam radio interview excerpted on Townhall.com

November 19, 2010
By tomsander

“Religious conservatives are more open minded and less bigoted than you would guess from the public media.  And the same thing is true at the secular end as well. If you ask Americans whether religion is basically good for…

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John DiIulio: American Grace is “amazing…instant classic” (in America Magazine)

November 17, 2010
By tomsander

Flickr photo by digitalexplorer

John DiIulio is professor of Political Science at U. Penn. and headed George W. Bush’s Office of Faith Based Initiatives.  Excerpt:

From the 1930s through the 1990s, many leading social science theorists claimed that religion was…

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How to restore Catholic vitality to Americans

November 17, 2010
By tomsander

Excerpt:

“The bishops are failing to teach the fullness of the Catholic faith to the church as well….Robert Putnam and David Campbell’s recently released American Grace find(s) that young people who have come of age in…

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