Religion, Development, and Faith-Based Organizations

This chapter surveys religion’s roles in low- and middle-income societies and in US politics, and introduces international faith-based NGOs. Religious beliefs, institutions, and practices are influential in almost every neighborhood and village in the countries of the Global South, and Nelson shows that they can be powerful rhetorical, spiritual, and organizational resources for community development and social action. Religion is also often a conservative force, anchoring traditional social orders and gender relations. In the United States, religion has been an organizing and motivating force for civil rights, peace movements, and immigration and sanctuary efforts. In recent decades conservative religious leaders have been increasingly prominent voices in public life, influencing a significant voting public.