Ask the Question

Why We Must Demand Religious Clarity from Our Presidential Candidates

by: Stephen Mansfield

• Format

  E-Book

  ISBN

  9781493403271

  Pub. Date

  Feb 2016

  SRP

  $19.99

  Buy

About

The time for religious vagaries in politics is over.

For most of American history, the conventional wisdom has been that religion is too private a matter to ask a political candidate about. But in a political landscape in which we see Muslims, atheists, Mormons, Buddhists, and Christians of all stripes running for high office, we cannot afford to avoid religious questions. It is the right of American voters to know what their candidates believe since those beliefs shape policy and thus action.

In this rousing call to action, Stephen Mansfield shows readers

· what religion can mean in a presidential race
· how the media, both left and right, get religion wrong
· the reasons the faith of candidates such as JFK, Mitt Romney, and Barack Obama caused issues with voters
· why Hillary Clinton is among the most religious politicians on the American scene today
· how to ask the right questions to get honest answers
· what giving candidates a "religious pass" can cost the country
· how religion in American politics impacts America's role in the world
· and more

Frustrated and confused voters across the country and on both sides of the aisle will find here a balanced and essential guide to understanding the importance of religion in America's political system.


"So much of who we are is wrapped up in what we believe. That's why it blows my mind that we aren't 'allowed' to dig in and have a good discussion about our political candidates' core spiritual beliefs. In Ask the Question, my friend Stephen Mansfield has the courage to hit this issue head-on and call for a higher level of discussion around faith and politics. Every voter in the country should read this book!"--Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author; nationally syndicated radio show host

"Mansfield makes a persuasive case for why it's both important and appropriate to expect candidates for president of the United States to be open and detailed about their personal religious journeys and beliefs. This is especially important in an era when religious beliefs are becoming more and more personalized and eclectic, and it's not very clear how those personal expressions of faith would impact or shape a political leader's worldview and decision-making process."--Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author; President of Sojourners; Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners magazine

"Stephen Mansfield's latest book takes on one of the most common points of contention in the news today: religion. He's demanding that candidates come clean on their beliefs before they get to the Oval Office. He's right, and he makes his case in a unique, fascinating manner that is rich in American history."--Brian Kilmeade, FOX News

"Mansfield's approach is neither partisan nor partial to a particular aspect of religion. This book helps us educate ourselves about how religion shapes the decision-making of our leaders. Stephen Mansfield challenges both voters and the media to ask the right questions."--Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland Church

"I'm a huge Stephen Mansfield fan. His latest book, Ask the Question, stresses our need to better understand what our candidates believe about religion. We need a more sophisticated level of discussion about the faith of our candidates. You need to read this book now!"--Pat Williams, Senior Vice President, Orlando Magic


Stephen Mansfield is the New York Times bestselling author of The Faith of George W. Bush, The Faith of Barack Obama, and Lincoln's Battle with God, among other works of history and biography. Founder of The Mansfield Group, a research and publishing firm, he is also an in-demand speaker and consultant. He makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, DC, with his wife, Beverly.

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Endorsements

"Nothing has impacted my personal value system more than my faith, and that's the way it should be. So much of who we are is wrapped up in what we believe. That's why it blows my mind that we aren't 'allowed' to dig in and have a good discussion about our political candidates' core spiritual beliefs. In Ask the Question, my friend Stephen Mansfield has the courage to hit this issue head-on and call for a higher level of discussion around faith and politics. Every voter in the country should read this book!"

Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author; nationally syndicated radio show host

"In Ask the Question, Stephen Mansfield makes a persuasive case for why it's both important and appropriate to expect candidates for president of the United States to be open and detailed about their personal religious journeys and beliefs. This is especially important in an era when religious beliefs are becoming more and more personalized and eclectic, and it's not very clear how those personal expressions of faith would impact or shape a political leader's worldview and decision-making process. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the intersection of personal faith and public service, faith and politics."

Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author; president of Sojourners; editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine

"Stephen Mansfield's latest book, Ask the Question, takes on one of the most common points of contention in the news today: religion. He's demanding that candidates come clean on their beliefs before they get to the Oval Office. He's right, and he makes his case in a unique, fascinating manner that is rich in American history. Read this book!"

Brian Kilmeade, FOX News

"I'm a huge Stephen Mansfield fan. His latest book, Ask the Question, stresses our need to better understand what our candidates believe about religion. We need a more sophisticated level of discussion about the faith of our candidates. You need to read this book now!"

Pat Williams, senior vice president, Orlando Magic

"Stephen Mansfield has done it again! Ask the Question will challenge you and make you think. You may have been afraid to 'ask the question' before. No more. You'll ask it and with the purpose of understanding, voting properly, and acting responsibly!"

Steve Brown, professor/broadcaster

"In Ask the Question, Stephen Mansfield helps us understand the role of faith in the lives of our presidents. His approach is neither partisan nor partial to a particular aspect of religion. This book helps us educate ourselves about how religion shapes the decision-making of our leaders. Stephen Mansfield challenges both voters and the media to ask the right questions."

Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland Church

"Both Republican and Democrat presidential candidates have hoodwinked people of faith for years. The truth is that all candidates, whether secular or religious, hold certain beliefs, certain values, that will shape what they do when they get into office. Stephen Mansfield is right. We need to ask candidates what those beliefs are. This need is more urgent now than ever."

J.C. Watts, Jr., former Oklahoma congressman

"There is a reason Stephen Mansfield's books--The Faith of George W. Bush, The Faith of Barack Obama, and Lincoln's Battle with God--are so wildly popular. We know that what our politicians believe affects how they will govern. This book gives us a chance to see the impact of faith on those who hold the highest office in the land."

Todd Lake, vice president for spiritual life, Belmont University

"There's no such thing as private religion, and Stephen Mansfield understands as few others do that all real faith is public. So shouldn't we know what our prospective leaders believe? As Mansfield demonstrates, we cannot afford not to."

Joel J. Miller, blogger/former vice president, HarperCollins

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