When we say that North Americans are secular, we do not mean that they are not religious. The degree of religiosity is much higher here than in Europe, but there is no official state religion. This volume is much needed, and helps us to better understand both the political and the religious.
-- Amir Hussain, Loyola Marymount University
. This volume breaks new ground in the area of the intersection of religion, law, and politics. It contains 19 well-written chapters by academics and religiously involved practitioners from around the world , all of whom who have had real hands-on experience either attempting to implement their faith in political arenas (particularly the United Nations) or who have researched and attempted to implement this important area of life in their own societies. The volume should furnish many ideas for all those interested in how religious faith can be made relevant in today's complex world. I recommend this effort heartily to all interested in understanding the role of religion in a 21st century already torn by wars, racism, inequality, and a catastrophic pandemic.
-- James T. Richardson, University of Nevada, Reno
Holding the two in creative tension, Religious Soft Diplomacy and the United Nations recognizes both the contributions of diversity in unique aspects of each religion in the shared legacy of human spirituality, along with an increasing appreciation of underlying sources of commonality which might potentially aid in the quest for peace.
-- Brian Arthur Brown
In bringing this book together, Steiner and Christie are to be congratulated on assembling such a diverse array of voices who point to the importance of the role of religion in the international political sphere. Often overlooked by both scholars of religious studies and political science, religious communities and institutions have often been active partners with the United Nations and other agencies and associations at the highest political levels. Here, we see the voices of practitioners and advocates speaking about their work and the ideas behind it, particularly in relation to the compelling notion of a loyal opposition. This will be a great resource text for scholars, students, politicians, and others seeking to understand the dynamics of such work from the inside.
-- Paul Michael Hedges, Nanyang Technological University
This genie, religion, cannot be forced back into its bottle, observes Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, the world's leading interreligious body. Yet, she acknowledges, 'To engage with religion requires discarding any notion of homogeneity'. Tackling these twin challenges: the force of faith's power and its complexity, Rev. James Christie and Sherrie Steiner as editors have assembled a rather eclectic group of scholars and activists in a weighty collection that addresses religious roles in global governance. Authors explore how that genie might serve in contemporary global institutions as a meaningful, constructive actor to advance the central, hopefully shared, ideals of human rights, peace, and justice. While the book's arguments are built around an ideal of loyal opposition, the message that emerges from diverse perspectives is less of a coherent political voice of difference than of multiple ideas and actors with much to offer on today's vital issues. Assembled as the COVID-19 pandemic challenges ideas and institutions, the collection includes some gems of historical exploration. Authors highlight both opportunities and challenges inherent in engaging with religious actors in development as a whole. The book whets the appetite for new ways to engage in sorely needed constructive and oppositional dialogue about rebuilding our future.
-- Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
In this important and timely book, the editors and contributors set out persuasively why and how religion is an essential component of-and that it should be valued for-its past and present influence on our global polity, especially as a constructive challenge to the discharge of international politics. It is encapsulated in the concept of a loyal opposition, tracing its origins and emphasis on peace and unity, including religious freedom, applying fundamental truths, rights of women, and how these can be more integrated into the way in which increasingly we need to govern our world in transnational ways.
-- Sandra Coyle, Executive Director, World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy
