Blue America’’s God: Reflections on Faith and the Future of Progressive Politics

Progressives have been too silent about their faith, too hesitant to reach out to communities of faith, and too uneasy about revealing the faith-based foundations that support many of the policies they promote. William Garard Godwin seeks to reconnect the power of faith and the hope of progressive politics among a new generation of Americans that he calls "faithful progressives." A combination of political and biblical analysis, social criticism, and spiritual memoir, Blue America's God helps progressives think and talk about some of our nation's most controversial issues through the lens and language of faith. In this book, Godwin offers a powerful plan of action to illustrate how a progressive Democratic vision for the United States is not at odds with our country's diverse faiths, our Judeo-Christian moral tradition, or the Bible's core ethical teachings. This book vividly shows that progressive politics, when approached prayerfully, carefully, and open-mindedly, are aligned with the overarching themes of our major faith traditions: Love, Justice, Mercy, and Humility.

WILLIAM GARARD GODWIN is a nationally award-winning public speaker, practicing attorney, community real estate development advocate, and an emerging public theologian. He is a native of Jackson, Tennessee and now lives in Chicago, Illinois. A Harry S. Truman Scholar (TN ’06) and an alum of the New Leaders Council-Chicago, Godwin is committed to a career in public service. He earned the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from The University of Chicago Law School and the B.A. in Sociology from Georgetown University. He completed the General Course at The London School of Economics and has also studied at The University of Chicago Divinity School. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Religious Leadership at The Chicago Theological Seminary. This is his first book.