Publisher Description
The culture wars have distorted the dramatic story of how Americans came to worship freely. Many activists on the right maintain that the United States was founded as a “Christian nation.” Many on the left contend that the Founders were secular or deist and that the First Amendment was designed to boldly separate church and state throughout the land. None of these claims are true, argues Beliefnet.com editor in chief Steven Waldman.
With refreshing objectivity, Waldman narrates the real story of how our nation’s founders forged a new approach to religious liberty, a revolutionary formula that promoted faith—by leaving it alone. The spiritual custody battle over the Founding Fathers and the role of religion in America continues today. Waldman provocatively argues that neither side in the culture war has accurately depicted the true origins of the First Amendment. He sets the record straight, revealing the real history of religious freedom to be dramatic, unexpected, paradoxical, and inspiring.
Download and start listening now!
“This book should be required reading in all U.S. high schools. Everybody seems to think they know exactly what the Founders had in mind when it comes to relations between Church and State, but you may find out different if you read this book. Waldman examines the lives, philosophies, and religious beliefs of the Founders most responsible for the Constitution and the First Amendment. What I learned is that both today’s Right and Left Wings get some of it correct, but also misunderstand a lot. This is a clear-headed book that doesn’t let ideologues get away with pointing fingers at opponents and claiming they’re entirely wrong, and I like that a lot! :-D”
—
Daniel (4 out of 5 stars)
