Uncomfortable Pew

In The Uncomfortable Pew Bruce Douville explores the relationship between Christianity and the New Left in English Canada from 1959 to 1975. Focusing primarily on Toronto, he examines the impact that left-wing student radicalism had on Canada's largest Christian denominations, and the role that Christianity played in shaping Canada’s New Left.Based on extensive archival research and oral interviews, this study reconstructs the social and intellectual worlds of young radicals who saw themselves as part of both the church and the revolution. Douville looks at major communities of faith and action, including the Student Christian Movement, Kairos, and the Latin American Working Group, and explains what made these and other groups effective incubators for left-wing student activism. He also sheds light on Canada's Roman Catholic, Anglican, and United churches and the ways that progressive older Christians engaged with radical youth and the issues that concerned them, including the Vietnam War, anti-imperialism around the globe, women’s liberation, and gay liberation.Challenging the idea that the New Left was atheistic and secular, The Uncomfortable Pew reveals that many young activists began their careers in student Christian organizations, and these religious and social movements deeply influenced each other. While the era was one of crisis and decline for leading Canadian churches, Douville shows how Christianity retained an important measure of influence during a period of radical social change.

"The Uncomfortable Pew develops the notion of the 'irony' of secular theology, which is key to understanding the liberal wings of Canadian churches and the 1960s heritage. Douville’s conclusions are sophisticated and nuanced. This is an important and intriguing book." Sandra Beardsall, St Andrew’s College, University of Saskatchewan, “This book is essential reading for historians of the New Left who have ignored the role of religion and spirituality in an important historical moment. It is also important reading for today’s faith-based activists. Finally, it is important reading for those who want to understand more about the role of religion in Canada and modern society. In the context of the widespread identification of Christianity with right-wing politics (especially given the support of White Evangelicals in the US for Donald Trump) and the retreat of church leadership from public campaigns for social justice, peace, and ecological concerns, The Uncomfortable Pew is essential reading.” Critical Theology, “Scholars from a variety of disciplines will find this book worth reading and considering seriously. The political left in Canada was supported by individuals from multiple backgrounds, religious as well as secular. Has that changed? And if so, why? If the churches, especially the United Church of Canada, came only much later to any acceptance of the changing roles for women in society and for acceptance of different sexualities, who was it that was driving this change in the long 1960s? Were Canadian denominations more conservative, culturally and perhaps even theologically, than later narratives have suggested? These are among the questions raised by this important book.” Church History

Bruce Douville is a sessional instructor in history at Algoma University.