Fran QUIGLEY. Religious Socialism: Faith in Action for a Better World. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2021. pp. xiv+183. $24 pb. 182 ISBN:9781626984356. Reviewed by James BRETZKE, S.J., John Carroll University, University Heights OH 44118

Fran Quigley, a former journalist, who directs Health and Human Rights Clinic at Indiana University McKinney School of Law, provided a helpful overview and introduction to progressive, religiously affiliated, socialist movements and what might be termed second-tier key religious leaders in the United States. This is quite helpful since most would be familiar with bigger names, far fewer would recognize those whose vignettes are given in the sixteen brief chapters. Also interesting inclusions are separate chapters on Mormon and Buddhist socialism, and both of these chapters show a good grasp of those religious traditions. Islam and Judaism are also included, though the various Christian traditions, both Catholic and Protestant, predominate.

After an Introduction Quigley begins his first chapter looking at the “roots” of what he calls “Christian Socialism.” However, this particular use of “socialism” is rather anachronistic, as what is understood by “socialism” in contemporary political science would hardly be the precise descriptor of the communal sharing of assets in early Christianity. Nevertheless, there are key overlaps that can be brought forward.

His is a “Big Tent Socialism,” though what it takes to gain admittance is not made precisely clear. It would have been helpful if he’d given a good working definition at the outset of what is meant by “socialism.” He is helpful in debunking the putative denunciation of “socialism” as intrinsically evil from Pius XI to  Madison Bishop Robert Morlino’s 2012 support of the Romney/Ryan ticket. A very brief final Conclusion looks at socialism in contemporary American politics (featuring Bernie Sanders and AOC) but this is rather too brief.

The book’s principal value is the careful historical treatment of progressive, religiously affiliated, socialist movements and key religious leaders in the United States. What is missing would be a look at why “socialism” still “works” in conservative circles as a way to vilify progressive politics. A strategy for dealing with this political reality would have been most appreciated.

Perhaps the best metaphor for what Quigley gives us is not so much of a “tent” as a “tapestry.” Many indeed are the threads, and from the rear they may appear jumbled and inchoate, but from a different perspective the beauty of the overall eschatological design does begin to emerge.