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While the Religious Right has received considerable scholarly attention and media coverage in recent years, the story of the growing number of Secular Americans-those who identify themselves as atheists, agnostics, or as not having any religious ties-has yet to be told. In the first book devoted exclusively to Seculars, Susan B. Hansen argues that they are not only increasing in number and political involvement, but have devised strategies and alliances to counter the organization advantages of the Religious Right and its roots in church-based groups and the Republican party. Case studies of state and local battles over the issues of gay marriage, reproductive rights, and teaching evolution illustrate how Seculars have overcome organizational disadvantages to emerge as significant adversaries to the Religious Right. They have forged alliances with the media, the scientific community, minority groups, the Religious Left, and the Democratic Party to challenge the influence of traditional religious views on American politics and public policy.ican politics and public policy.ican politics and public policy.ican politics and public policy.

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CHOICE Review

Hansen (Univ. of Pittsburgh) explores the growing political significance of Americans who oppose the political power of the religious Right. Hansen examines the role of secular voters and the unchurched in the culture war. The book begins with an analysis of who the seculars and unchurched are and how they can be organized into a voting bloc. By definition, seculars are not necessarily prone to join organizations challenging the religious Right. Chapter 2 analyzes the growth in numbers of secular Americans. Seculars are compared to moderate and traditional religionists in chapter 3. The question of whether Americans can identify differences between the Democratic and Republican Parties serves as the focus of chapter 4. In chapter 5, the author compares secular organizations that have entered the culture wars and how the groups work together as coalitions. Three case studies presented in chapter 6 show how the seculars operate in challenging the religious Right. The case studies are drawn from California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, recent attempts to ban abortions in South Dakota, and challenges to the teaching of evolution in public schools in Dover, Pennsylvania. The book concludes with a look to the future of secular political participation. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels. J. D. Rausch West Texas A&M University

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Susan B. Hansen is a professor of Political Science and Women's Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and an adjunct professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Her publications include numerous articles and book chapters on religion, public policy, state economic development, taxation, labor costs, and women in politics.