In Pulpit & Politics, author and former MP Dennis Gruending examines the competition between religious progressives and conservatives for power and influence in Canadian public life. After the 2011 election resulting in a majority Conservative government - partly because of the support of religious conservatives - the rivalry between the two camps has become even more pronounced. Gruending looks closely at the political ideology and tactics employed by religious conservatives in the public arena, and he also documents the efforts by religious progressives struggling to have their voices heard on issues of equality, environment, human rights, justice, and peace. Ever with an eye on history and world events, Gruending follows this contest between progressives and conservatives from Parliament Hill to the church basements, synagogues, temples, and universities of the nation and abroad.

Pulpit and Politics is a provocative expose of the competition between religious progressives and conservatives for power and influence in Canadian politics.

"a must-read for anyone who wishes to grasp the spiritual tensions at play behind Stephen Harper's majority government." - Marci McDonald, journalist and author of The Armageddon Factor

"well informed observations on the role of faith in politics, and the politics of faith, an insightful guide to the current political landscape." - Rev. Bill Blaikie, United Church minister and former MP.

Dennis Gruending is an Ottawa-based author and a former MP: www.dennisgruending.ca

Dennis Gruending
is a former Member of Parliament from Saskatchewan. A journalist by profession, he has worked for three newspapers and as a producer and host for CBC Radio in western Canada. His previous books includeGreat Canadian Speeches, The Middle of Nowhere, and biographies of Emmett Hall and Allan Blakeney. His articles, stories, and poems have appeared in NeWest Review, The Canadian Forum, New Internationalist, Maclean's, and Reader's Digest. Dennis lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Dennis Gruending's profile page

"a must-read for anyone who wishes to grasp the spiritual tensions at play behind Stephen Harper's majority government."

Marci McDonald, journalist and author of "The Armageddon Factor"