Middle Church - by Bob Edgar (Paperback)

About the Book

The general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ and a former six-term congressman explains why the extreme religious right has failed to grasp the true moral issues of poverty, peace, and the environment.

Book Synopsis

With issues like abortion, gay marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, and "intelligent design" dominating election campaigns, it often seems that the far religious right has defined the social agenda in American public life. In Middle Church, the Rev. Bob Edgar vigorously refutes the idea that the right wing has a monopoly on matters of faith and values. On the contrary, he says, by focusing on "personal piety" issues such as gay rights and abortion, the extreme right views morality too narrowly-and ignores more important issues such as poverty, the environment, health care, and war and peace.

"Middle Church" is the vast majority of American faithful to whom these larger social issues matter, and in this book Bob Edgar urges a national political agenda that addresses these vital concerns. Passionate and thought provoking, Middle Church is a call for Americans of all faiths to join together on the moral issues that matter most.

Review Quotes

"Middle Church is a treasure. Bob Edgar shares his wisdom and calls us all to reclaim the moral agenda for the faithful and expose the radical religious right as power-based, not religion-based."

-- Patricia Schroeder, twelve-term member of Congress and President & CEO of the Association of American Publishers

"A Stirring Call to American believers who resent their spiritual beliefs being co-opted for a political agenda contrary to their faith."

-- President Jimmy Carter

"With this engaging and insightful book, Bob Edgar speaks to and for the many, many members of 'Middle Church, Middle Synagogue, and Middle Mosque' who believe it's time to reset our nation's moral compass and priorities."

-- Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund