Religion and the Death Penalty: A Call for Reckoning

Jacket Description/Back: This important book is sure to foster informed public discussion about the death penalty by deepening readers' understanding of how religious beliefs and perspectives shape this contentious issue. Featuring a fair, balanced appraisal of its topic, "Religion and the Death Penalty brings thoughtful religious reflection to bear on current challenges facing the capital justice system. One look at the list of contributors reveals the significance of this book. Here are recognized leaders from the academy, government, and public life who also represent a wide range of faith commitments, including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim. Like many people of faith and goodwill, the authors disagree with one another, variously supporting retention, reform, or abolition of capital punishment. As a result, the book presents the most comprehensive and well-rounded religiously oriented discussion of the death penalty available. Contributors: Khaled Abou El FadlVictor AndersonJeanne BishopJ. BudziszewskiJohn D. CarlsonMario M. CuomoE. J. Dionne Jr. Avery Cardinal Dulles, S. J. Eric P. ElshtainRichard W. GarnettStanley HauerwasFrank KeatingGilbert MeilaenderDavid NovakErik C. OwensGeorge H. RyanAntonin ScaliaPaul SimonGlen H. StassenMichael L. Westmoreland-WhiteBeth WilkinsonMarc Notes: Bibl. ref. & index; Conf. papers ... 2002. Publisher Marketing: Owens, a doctoral candidate at the University of Chicago and a former research associate with the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, gathers contributors from academia, government, and public life who represent a wide range of faiths to share their perspectives on the retention, reform, or abolition of capital punishment. Their ideas are collec Review Citations:

Choice 06/01/2005 pg. 1837 (EAN 9780802821720, Paperback)

Christian Century 10/03/2006 pg. 30 (EAN 9780802821720, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Owens, Erik C Erik C. Owens is Assistant Director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theology, Boston College. He lives in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Contributor Bio:  Carlson, John D John Carlson is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Arizona State University. Jon Ebel is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignContributor Bio:  Elshtain, Eric P Eric P. Elshtain is a PhD student in the University of Chicagobs Committee on the History of Culture. He is also the poetry editor of the literary journal the Chicago Review.