God's gonna trouble the waters: Social ethics, religious organizations, and crime policy

Premised on the ideas that there are significant social ethical issues in modern crime policy, that there has been a dearth of leadership within criminal justice addressing such issues, and that religious organizations historically have claimed interest and expertise in matters of social justice, this study explores the role of religious organizations in addressing social ethical issues in contemporary crime policy. A major goal is to begin to understand the motivations and perceptions behind the religious role, as well as more pragmatic matters like the particular crime issues of interest to religious organizations. Theoretical underpinnings for religious activity are explored. Also, the substance, scale, and dynamics of a wide variety of religious organizations' work in crime policy are documented, including through analysis of U.S. Supreme Court briefs, Congressional testimony, a major news medium, and interviews and surveys of religious organizational staff most directly responsible for advocacy. Strengths as well as shortcomings of religious involvement in crime policy are discussed.