Socialism and Religion

Roads to Common Wealth

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Socialism and Religion by Vincent Geoghegan, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Vincent Geoghegan ISBN: 9781136709593
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 29, 2012
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Vincent Geoghegan
ISBN: 9781136709593
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 29, 2012
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

In the past decade philosophers and political theorists have increasingly pondered the role of religion in a modern secular society, and of the possible value of religion as a resource for contemporary thinking. The global resurgence of a new religious politics – graphically symbolised by 9/11 - has added a new urgency to this project; how is religion to be integrated, and if necessary contested, in such a time? As this study shows, the desire to integrate religion into a ‘progressive’ politics is not new. Providing a comprehensive analysis of the Common Wealth movement, this work seeks to bring together for the first time the religious and political commitments of four of the leading thinkers in the movement, bringing to light the significance of the relationships between them.

This study examines at four interwar British radicals – the philosopher John Macmurray, the novelist and sexual theorist Kenneth Ingram, the Science Fiction writer Olaf Stapledon, and the Liberal M.P. Richard Acland – and examines their attempts to develop a socialism that whilst defending the achievements of the secular age was also sensitive to the virtues of religious traditions. Thus it considers Macmurray’s attempt to draw on the seemingly antagonistic traditions of Marxism and Christianity, Ingram’s long struggle to develop a Christian response to ‘deviant’ sexual behaviour, Stapledon’s exploration of a non-Christian religious spirit, and Acland’s journey from liberal atheist to Christian socialist. It then follows the activities of all four in the radical political movement founded by Acland in the midst of the Second World War, Common Wealth, particularly focusing on the positions they took in the serious battles over the function of religion that convulsed the leadership of this body.

This work will be of great interest to scholars of political theory, religious studies, social and political thought.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the past decade philosophers and political theorists have increasingly pondered the role of religion in a modern secular society, and of the possible value of religion as a resource for contemporary thinking. The global resurgence of a new religious politics – graphically symbolised by 9/11 - has added a new urgency to this project; how is religion to be integrated, and if necessary contested, in such a time? As this study shows, the desire to integrate religion into a ‘progressive’ politics is not new. Providing a comprehensive analysis of the Common Wealth movement, this work seeks to bring together for the first time the religious and political commitments of four of the leading thinkers in the movement, bringing to light the significance of the relationships between them.

This study examines at four interwar British radicals – the philosopher John Macmurray, the novelist and sexual theorist Kenneth Ingram, the Science Fiction writer Olaf Stapledon, and the Liberal M.P. Richard Acland – and examines their attempts to develop a socialism that whilst defending the achievements of the secular age was also sensitive to the virtues of religious traditions. Thus it considers Macmurray’s attempt to draw on the seemingly antagonistic traditions of Marxism and Christianity, Ingram’s long struggle to develop a Christian response to ‘deviant’ sexual behaviour, Stapledon’s exploration of a non-Christian religious spirit, and Acland’s journey from liberal atheist to Christian socialist. It then follows the activities of all four in the radical political movement founded by Acland in the midst of the Second World War, Common Wealth, particularly focusing on the positions they took in the serious battles over the function of religion that convulsed the leadership of this body.

This work will be of great interest to scholars of political theory, religious studies, social and political thought.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Citizen and the Chinese State by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Innovations in Computerized Assessment by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book F.D. Ascoli: Early Revenue History of Bengal and The Fifth Report, 1812 by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Gender and Communication at Work by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book The Role of Science for Conservation by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Statistical Methods for Communication Science by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book An Arab Ambassador in the Mediterranean World by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book English Warfare, 1511-1642 by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Acoustics and Psychoacoustics by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Revolutions in Taste, 1773–1818 by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Gifted and Talented Learners by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Production Studies, The Sequel! by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Guilds, Labour and the Urban Body Politic by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Women's University Narratives, 1890-1945, Part II by Vincent Geoghegan
Cover of the book Professional Standards for Teachers and School Leaders by Vincent Geoghegan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy