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God Is Back: How the Global Rise of Faith Will Change the World
Two Economist writers show how and why religion is booming around the world and reveal its vast effects on the global economy, politics, and more
On the street and in the corridors of power, religion is surging worldwide. From Russia to Turkey to India, nations that swore off faith in the last centuryor even tried to stamp it outare now run by avowedly religious leaders. ...more
On the street and in the corridors of power, religion is surging worldwide. From Russia to Turkey to India, nations that swore off faith in the last centuryor even tried to stamp it outare now run by avowedly religious leaders. ...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
April 2nd 2009
by Penguin Press HC, The
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This book investigates the reasons for, and possible consequences of, the global resurgence of religion at the beginning of the 21st century. The first half of the book concentrates on a comparison between religion in America and Europe, focusing on why Americans remain overwhelmingly religious people while Europeans generally are not interested in the subject. The second half of the book focuses on how religion plays out in the non-Western world, and why the authors believe the American, rath...more
This is a well-written book with lots of interesting empirical evidence for the global resurgence of religion, but the theoretical underpinnings of the two authors' arguments are seriously flawed and the historical facts presented are biased in order to prove the authors' points. They present the religious history of America as essentially peaceful and pluralistic, while Europe is portrayed as the cesspool of religious strife. This is supposed to explain the spread of atheism in Europe, and the ...more
Shinynickel
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Off this review:
Well, there are many distinctive and interesting things going on in America, many things that make it religious. It’s certainly not just the relatively low life expectancy and so on. It’s other things too. And these other things are discussed quite a lot in the last book on my list—a book by two British journalists, John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, called "God is Back: How the Global Revival in Faith is Changing the World". It came out a couple of wee...more
Well, there are many distinctive and interesting things going on in America, many things that make it religious. It’s certainly not just the relatively low life expectancy and so on. It’s other things too. And these other things are discussed quite a lot in the last book on my list—a book by two British journalists, John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, called "God is Back: How the Global Revival in Faith is Changing the World". It came out a couple of wee...more
An intelligent, even-handed look at the influence of religion on international politics and commerce today (despite the flamboyant title). Micklethwait and Woolridge, writers for The Economist, did interviews all over the world and compiled mountains of data to examine the reality of the resurgence of religion. Their basic argument is that 1) religion is here to stay, 2) sometimes that’s good and sometimes that’s bad (an argument lost on non-thinking polemicists on both sides), and 3) that Ameri...more
I read this book because I heard an interview with one of its authors on Radio New Zealand (with Kim Hill). It was a really interesting interview.
So after it was promoted in NZ, I bought the book in Australia, and have now finished it. I'm interested - and a little disappointed - to find that there's not a single paragraph in there about what's going on in Australia, NZ and the Pacific Islands. A paragraph would have pacified me. Otherwise, it doesn't feel like a true overview of 'the ...more
So after it was promoted in NZ, I bought the book in Australia, and have now finished it. I'm interested - and a little disappointed - to find that there's not a single paragraph in there about what's going on in Australia, NZ and the Pacific Islands. A paragraph would have pacified me. Otherwise, it doesn't feel like a true overview of 'the ...more
This book clarified what it is about the USA and religion, or rather Christianity. The strict separation of church from state produced from the outset a free, open market in faith and the people of faith responded enthusiastcially. Also since religion wasn't tied to an oppressive state (as frequently in Europe) modern Americans became much less inclined to embrace secularism as the natural partner of modernisation and democratisation (as in Europe). Hence the most powerful free-market democracy ...more
Most recent edition of America, National Catholic Weekly, has a thoughtful article on this book. In a nutshell, the book's authors argue that far from diminishing practice of religion around the world, modern secularism has in fact promoted a revival in religious commitment. Micklethwait is editor of The Economist, and therefore takes a non-theological approach to his subject. (On a personal note, I find this argument intriguing since the pastor at church I attend is prone to complaining abou...more
A fascinating book if you're interested in the interaction of religion and society. However, it has a few flaws; for example, the exhaustive research is almost overwhelming to read (there hundreds of tidbits about historical events, churches, important people, and so on), and sometimes isn't tied together effectively to support the authors' main point.
Nevertheless, you will leave this book with many interesting questions to ponder, and with amusing anecdotes to use at cocktail parties.
Nevertheless, you will leave this book with many interesting questions to ponder, and with amusing anecdotes to use at cocktail parties.
Really liked this book that says God is back, he/she is not always the reason for trouble, but if there’s trouble and religion, the trouble gets worse. Religion is very entrepreneurial; and the U.S. would be wise to export it’s pluralism and put more U.S. Muslims out there to show the world. The writers work for The Economist.
Of puritains and pornographers. That is the land of america and the reason we are more "religious" then our secular european counterparts. Since america is a free market so does our preachers try to hawk their religion- constantly changing styles as to attract the next generation. The last part of the book is the true gem, because it highlights reasons why (though contrary to what most people think) Christianity is here to stay, even though Islam is the fastest growing religion. A good...more
The book is exhaustively researched and has keen perspective on the history of U.S. religion. The authors, one a Catholic and one an atheist, give an evenhanded treatment of Christianity as well as Islam. The authros contend that these two religions will dominate thinking on the world stage for years to come. Rather than atheists becoming more prominent, the book points out that religious beliefs will increasingly be at the root of what drives the world's economy and politics. The insights into ...more
Two authors from The Economist make the great point that the US version of religious freedom is rising along with all other aspects of globalization. A heavy but interesting, solid read.
Really wanted to read this, especially shortly after the controversy about the 2011 Census' (UK) Question 12: "What is your religion?" Maybe the West really is re-discovering its Christian roots?
See my progress notes for quotes and other notes. It was an interesting read, written by a Christian and an atheist. Lots of data about Christian America and an interesting part about Bible vs. Koran.
Good writing style, not dry.
See my progress notes for quotes and other notes. It was an interesting read, written by a Christian and an atheist. Lots of data about Christian America and an interesting part about Bible vs. Koran.
Good writing style, not dry.
This is a well-written book about an interesting topic. I wonder about the staying power of the book, though. It seems like the type of work that will need to be updated every 5 years to be worth reading. I appreciated that the authors treated religious people and beliefs with respect. They repeatedly fell into the USA=Christians error, but this was mostly in the context of how the US is perceived abroad.
Great Book, well worth the read, though as an Insider there are perspectives that I would have that would defiantly be different, but posses some really interesting scenarios.
Extremely insightful, considering it was written by journalist for the Economist.
The Economist normally has little time for religion, so it was wonderful to see them tackle religion in a manner that was both fascinating and fair. Like a giant Economist article, it gives scope to the big issues, and life to the detail, of the global rise of aggressive, American-style religion.
Explains strange marriage of capitalistic business practices and religion in America.
excellent read
The authors are both a little too fond of modernity and "Progress" for my taste, but they're from the Economist, so you kinda expect it.
Meticulous research, clever writing, enormous in scope... It's certainly worth reading. But if you have Porcher proclivities (like I do) prepare to be annoyed at several points.
Meticulous research, clever writing, enormous in scope... It's certainly worth reading. But if you have Porcher proclivities (like I do) prepare to be annoyed at several points.
Charyla Olsen
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