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University of California Press

The Gospel of Climate Skepticism

Why Evangelical Christians Oppose Action on Climate Change
by Robin Globus Veldman (Author)
Hardcover Paperback eBook
Price: $29.95 / £25.00
Publication Date: Oct 2019
Edition: 1st Edition
Title Details:
Rights: World
Pages: 332
ISBN: 9780520972803
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Illustrations: 1 illustration
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About the Book

Why are white evangelicals the most skeptical major religious group in America regarding climate change? Previous scholarship has pointed to cognitive factors such as conservative politics, anti-science attitudes, aversion to big government, and theology. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork, The Gospel of Climate Skepticism reveals the extent to which climate skepticism and anti-environmentalism have in fact become embedded in the social world of many conservative evangelicals. Rejecting the common assumption that evangelicals’ skepticism is simply a side effect of political or theological conservatism, the book further shows that between 2006 and 2015, leaders and pundits associated with the Christian Right widely promoted skepticism as the biblical position on climate change. The Gospel of Climate Skepticism offers a compelling portrait of how during a critical period of recent history, political and religious interests intersected to prevent evangelicals from offering a unified voice in support of legislative action to address climate change.

About the Author

Robin Globus Veldman is an interdisciplinary environmental studies scholar whose research examines how religious beliefs and cultural identity shape attitudes toward the natural world. She is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Texas A&M University.

Reviews

"For those seeking to understand how religion matters to climate change, it is worthwhile to follow Veldman’s lead."
— Immanent Frame
"The book nicely caters to diverse audiences by defining social science concepts, providing background on theological debates and religious movements, all while steering clear of jargon and relegating cumbersome references to endnotes. . . . The Gospel of Climate Skepticism will undoubtedly advance scholarship that maps the play of forces within evangelicalism."
— Review of Religious Research
"This work is an invaluable addition to research on American evangelicalism and climate change. Veldman carefully analyzes both her field work and years of evangelical programming in conversation with social, theological, and political theories and broader research trends, providing a complex yet compelling set of responses to the work’s driving questions. This is an excellent read for any student or scholar of religion, environmentalism, media, and politics or for anyone hoping to gain insight into American Christian perspectives on climate change."
— Reading Religion

“Robin Veldman uses historical and ethnographic methods to discern why climate skepticism became so strong among conservative Christians, detailing how sectarian Christians used denominational resources and interdenominational connections to prevent pro-environmental orientations from taking root in their communities. It is an important work and should be required reading.”—Darren E. Sherkat, Professor of Sociology, Southern Illinois University 

“In this important and timely book, Robin Veldman challenges facile attempts to reduce evangelical climate skepticism to their apocalyptic beliefs. Instead, she digs deeply into the activities of media producers and critics of secular society who encourage evangelicals to see climate change as an attack on their religion, their families, and their way of life.”—Michael J. McVicar, Associate Professor of Religion, Florida State University

Awards

  • Reed Environmental Writing Award Finalist 2021 2020, Southern Environmental Law Center