Local Baptists, Local Politics: Churches and Communities in the Middle and Uplands South"This meticulously researched study reveals how the localism inherent among Baptists carries over into political attitudes and involvement. Grammich's 'bible-based' Baptist sectarians also show how diverse Baptists really are and how strong and enduring a social ethic many smaller Baptist groups have cultivated."--Charles H. Lippy, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga This provocative book explores the political views and actions of religious adherents who claim to base their faith on a literal interpretation of the Bible. Focusing on several small Baptist sects scattered throughout the middle and uplands South, Clifford Grammich finds that these groups are often highly engaged politically at the local level. He thus challenges the traditional view of these Baptists as politically aloof, concerned only with matters of faith and personal conduct. Grammich shows that the politics arising from these groups' religious beliefs are not those of any consistent, pervasive ideology. Rather, he argues, such politics more often reflect a series of adaptations to local circumstances. Among the sects that he studies, there is a strong emphasis on the local authority to interpet the Bible and, thus, to shape religious commands to very specific conditions. Beyond the broad concerns of preserving the traditional family and curbing excessive worldliness, these Baptists are free to adapt their theology to meet their particular needs--and can often do so more readily than those belonging to more hierarchical churches. Since these people are typically more rural, more southern, less educated, and less affluent than most Americans, the author notes, they can face special problems in dealing with modernity--problems that their religion helps them address. The book includes two case studies that show in depth both the possiblities and limitations of politics within these groups. In a local labor struggle in Tennessee, Baptist sectarians were able to generate more religious support for a United Mine Workers local than was offered by the usual supporters of organized labor in other churches. On the other hand, in an environmental conflict in Kentucky, these Baptists' traditional community concerns inhibited their participation in a broader reform movement. Relating the beliefs and actions of the "local Baptists" to various larger themes--including those of cultural traditionalism, economic populism, and increasing affluence--Grammich offers a valuable study of the complex ways in which religious faith can affect political involvement. His book will effect a new understanding of American fundamentalism itself. The Author: Clifford A. Grammich Jr. is director of research at Heartland Center, a social research institute in Hammond, Indiana. |
Contents
Maps | 15 |
National Themes in Local Settings | 27 |
Central Baptist Distribution by County 1990 | 61 |
Central Baptist Area Characteristics | 64 |
Duck River and Kindred Baptist Distribution by County 1990 | 67 |
Duck River and Kindred Baptist Core Counties | 68 |
Duck River and Kindred Baptist Core Area Characteristics | 70 |
Old Missionary Baptist Distribution by County 1990 | 73 |
Eastern District Primitive Baptist Association | 83 |
Distribution by County 1990 | 86 |
Eastern District Primitive Baptist Core Area Characteristics | 87 |
United Baptist Distribution by County 1990 | 89 |
United Baptist Analysis Areas | 91 |
United Baptist Area Characteristics | 92 |
Magoffin Jefferson and Fayette Counties Kentucky | 141 |
Magoffin County Population Characteristics | 143 |
Old Missionary Baptist Analysis Areas 1990 | 74 |
Old Missionary Baptist Area Characteristics | 75 |
Old Regular Baptist Distribution by County 1990 | 80 |
Old Regular Baptist Core Counties | 81 |
Old Regular Baptist Core Area Characteristics | 82 |
Magoffin County Families and Poverty144 | 144 |
Sources and Methodology | 205 |
233 | |
Common terms and phrases
able activity adapt adherents affect affluence American appears association attitudes authority become believe Bible biblical broader Central Baptists changing Christian churches circumstances claim coal concerns congregation conservative continuing core court cultural Democratic Duck River Eastern economic election emphasize establishments evangelical example face faith four fundamentalist goals groups individual influence interests interpretation involved issues Kentucky labor unions landfill lead less liberal limits live Magoffin male MCBE means meet miners Missionary movement nearly needs notes Old Regular Baptists opposition organized origins particularly percent politics population practice preacher president Press Primitive problems Protestants reasons recognize reform religion religious roles rural says sectarian sects secular similar social societies South southern standards strike Tennessee themes theology things tion told traditional traditionalism typically United Baptist vote women workers