Love and Power

"In the contemporary debate about whether religiously-grounded moral convictions have a legitimate role in public deliberation about contested issues, Michael Perry weighs in with a resounding affirmation. Love and Power is an impressive, eloquent, and often moving argument for the possibility of 'ecumenical political dialogue' in a religiously and morally pluralistic society."--Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law School "No one combines critical understanding of the philosophical, political, legal, and theological dimensions of the interaction of religion and politics the way Perry does. He breaks new theoretical ground on a matter of urgent practical importance. A truly constructive contribution to both American politics and American religion."--David Hollenbach, S.J., Boston College "Perry's elegantly and eloquently written book should be essential reading for all who believe in human rights. He makes a compelling argument that a vibrant political discourse about the existence and nature of universal human rights must include religious beliefs about human nature and the human good."--Nadine Strossen, American Civil Liberties Union "Perry understands the subtle contemporary dialogue between political and religious commitments, as well as the perennial questions about faith and society. The issues raised by Love and Power are as relevant to theologians as they are to lawyers and political scientists."--Robin Lovin, Drew University "It is an elegantly argued prescriptive message, reviewing along the way such seminal thinkers as Rawls, Rahner, Greenawalt and Schillebeeckx."--Political Studies "In the contemporary debate about whether religiously-grounded moral convictions have a legitimate role in public deliberation about contested issues, Michael Perry weighs in with a resounding affirmation. Love and Power is an impressive, eloquent, and often moving argument for the possibility of 'ecumenical political dialogue' in a religiously and morally pluralistic society."--Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard Law School "No one combines critical understanding of the philosophical, political, legal, and theological dimensions of the interaction of religion and politics the way Perry does. He breaks new theoretical ground on a matter of urgent practical importance. A truly constructive contribution to both American politics and American religion."--David Hollenbach, S.J., Boston College "Perry's elegantly and eloquently written book should be essential reading for all who believe in human rights. He makes a compelling argument that a vibrant political discourse about the existence and nature of universal human rights must include religious beliefs about human nature and the human good."--Nadine Strossen, American Civil Liberties Union "Perry understands the subtle contemporary dialogue between political and religious commitments, as well as the perennial questions about faith and society. The issues raised by Love and Power are as relevant to theologians as they are to lawyers and political scientists."--Robin Lovin, Drew University "It is an elegantly argued prescriptive message, reviewing along the way such seminal thinkers as Rawls, Rahner, Greenawalt and Schillebeeckx."--Political Studies "This is a thoughtful discussion of the role religion should play in political life."--Bimonthly Review of Law Books "Perry has written a valuable book....Perry's style is always plain and clear, even when dealing with the technical and abstruse. But most importantly, Perry in this book confronts in a systematically creative and informed way the central problem of any democratic theory: how is political dialogue between persons of radically opposed religious convictions possible?"--The Review of Politics "Excellent overview of the complex problems related to public discourse, public morality, and personal religious faith."--Stacy Patty, Lubbock Christian University