tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37589721331585843.post2024925221576280147..comments2024-03-26T11:33:59.219-06:00Comments on Religion in American History: The Spiritual-Industrial ComplexPaul Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881964303772343114noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37589721331585843.post-83424829848811527322012-02-09T08:55:45.687-07:002012-02-09T08:55:45.687-07:00I'm late to reading this, but having just read...I'm late to reading this, but having just read the book, I found this to be a fair, interesting, and thought-provoking review. That said, I think there are two other things that need to be critiqued: 1) a fairly thin source base (printed Presidential papers, but few unprinted letters/memos/etc from the archives) and 2) some major factual errors that arise from using a single source as information (most notably, according to a friend who knows the material, the section on military chaplains).Jordannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37589721331585843.post-82953942128197144592012-01-24T20:59:48.861-07:002012-01-24T20:59:48.861-07:00Thanks for your reaction, Curtis. Two points of c...Thanks for your reaction, Curtis. Two points of clarification:<br /><br />1) The liberal/conservative Protestant divide does not become operative in the book until the last chapter. One can see how this serves Herzog's aim of establishing a common Spiritual-Industrial Complex, but his inattention to liberals is a relative shortcoming.<br /><br />2) On "public Protestantism," I meant something akin to civil religion. On "Jesus Junk," the proloferation of "Under God," "In God We Trust," etc. In his introduction, Herzog suggests that the sacralists went too far and caused a secularist backlash. His chapter on critics of the Complex suggests something like a backlash did occur (I never put the Supreme Court decisions in this framework before, but maybe I'm just slow), but it's not developed fully enough to be a full-on argument.<br /><br />Hope that helps. Mark.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37589721331585843.post-77665611119519633322012-01-24T18:51:22.141-07:002012-01-24T18:51:22.141-07:00Mark. Thanks for this fine piece. "Nation wit...Mark. Thanks for this fine piece. "Nation with the soul of a predator drone"? I can imagine Sidney Mead turning over in his grave if this expression supplants his "nation with the soul of a church." I am quite eager to hear more about the very point you feel Herzog does not develop (as you argue): that public Protestantism was weakened in the long run by the "treasure trove of Jesus Junk produced by the Spiritual-Industrial Complex." First, I was wondering what is meant by "public Protestantism," especially in light of your point that the National Council of Churches is slighted (does that also mean that liberal Protestants in general are left out of his narrative?). Second, how did this Jesus Junk weaken public Protestantism? Though you indicate he does not develop this claim, I was wondering about what evidence he does find for this assertion. Of course, I realize I should simply go out and get the book now that you've prompted all these questions. So good to see this book reviewed alongside the others. Great work.Curtis J. Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37589721331585843.post-54551096064843518092012-01-24T15:35:29.898-07:002012-01-24T15:35:29.898-07:00Welcome aboard, Mark! I've been reading throu...Welcome aboard, Mark! I've been reading through many of the books in your review, and I appreciate the way you've prompted thinking about them in comparative terms.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing your book in print.Phil Sinitierenoreply@blogger.com