R. Marie Griffith

R. Marie Griffith is a prominent American religious historian and professor who serves as the John C. Danforth Distinguished Professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Her scholarly work focuses on gender, sexuality, and American religion, with particular emphasis on how religious beliefs have shaped cultural and political conflicts. Griffith is best known for her influential books including "God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission" (1997) and "Born Again Bodies: Flesh and Spirit in American Christianity" (2004). Her 2017 book "Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics" examines the religious roots of contemporary cultural wars over sexuality and gender. As the founding director of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University, Griffith has established herself as a leading voice on the intersection of religion and public life in America. Her research has earned numerous awards and fellowships, including grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. Through her writing and academic work, Griffith explores how religious beliefs and practices have influenced American attitudes toward gender roles, sexuality, and the body throughout history. Her scholarship has contributed significantly to understanding the complex relationship between Christianity and American social movements.

Readers appreciate Griffith's thorough research and documentation when examining complex religious and political intersections. Academic readers note her clear presentation of historical evidence, particularly in "Moral Combat." From reader reviews: Liked: - Detailed historical analysis supported by primary sources - Balanced treatment of different religious perspectives - Clear writing style that makes academic content accessible - Comprehensive coverage of cultural shifts over time Disliked: - Dense academic prose can be challenging for general readers - Some reviewers found "Moral Combat" too focused on Protestant Christianity - Length and detail level overwhelming for casual readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "Moral Combat": 4.1/5 (183 ratings) - "God's Daughters": 3.9/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: - "Moral Combat": 4.3/5 (62 reviews) - "Born Again Bodies": 4.4/5 (12 reviews) One academic reviewer noted: "Griffith excels at showing how religious beliefs shaped political outcomes without oversimplifying complex historical movements."

Born Again Bodies: Flesh and Spirit in American Christianity (2004) An examination of how American Christianity has shaped cultural attitudes about the body, weight, and physical appearance from the 1800s to modern day.

God's Daughters: Evangelical Women and the Power of Submission (1997) An ethnographic study of Women's Aglow Fellowship International, analyzing how evangelical women interpret and practice religious submission.

Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics (2017) A historical analysis of how sexual politics and religious disagreements about sexuality shaped American political discourse throughout the twentieth century.

Making the World Over: Confronting Racism, Misogyny, and Xenophobia in U.S. History (2021) An investigation of social reform movements in American history, focusing on efforts to combat discrimination and inequality.

Ann Braude writes about women's religious history in America, focusing on spiritualism and gender. Her work examines similar themes to Griffith's regarding the intersection of religion, politics, and women's bodies.

Catherine Brekus researches American religious history with emphasis on women's roles and evangelical movements. Her scholarship covers the colonial era through modern times, analyzing gender and power dynamics in Protestant communities.

Amy DeRogatis studies American religious history and sexual cultures in Protestant communities. Her work explores purity movements and religious teachings about sex, paralleling Griffith's research on Christianity and the body.

Marie Griffith examines Protestant fundamentalism and its impact on American gender norms and sexuality. She investigates religious influences on diet culture and body image, addressing themes of moral reform and physical discipline.

Pamela Klassen focuses on religion's role in colonialism and women's religious leadership in North America. Her research analyzes how religious beliefs shape attitudes about health, medicine, and the body.