Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America | 
| Author: Steven Waldman
Creator: David Colacci
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 577135
Format: Audiobook
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Unabridged
Number Of Items: 8
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 5.9 x 5.1 x 1
ISBN: 160283377X
Dewey Decimal Number: 323.442097309033
EAN: 9781602833777
ASIN: 160283377X
Publication Date: March 2008
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Book Description
A Clear-Headed Take on the Religion and Politics of Our Nation's Founding Fathers. 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. Presented unabridged on 8 CDs.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Religious freedom was relative August 8, 2008
The evolution of religious freedom in America has been of interest to me for years. Waldman's book is balanced, insightful, and well documented. His explanation of the Founding Fathers' views of religion provides human interest. It seems there was less religious freedom in early America than we might imagine; what we have today is the result of compromise. Waldman also brings in elements of today's debate over religious freedom, although the focus remains on the historical context.
 An excellent book, required reading for both sides! August 6, 2008
This is truly an excellent book. It's really the first non-hysterical treatment of church-state separation I've ever read. Written in a very readable style, the book is easily accessible to a high school student or even a bright middle-schooler, yet the wealth of footnotes and references, and the extensive bibliography, provide ample starting places for those interested in digging deeper.
Moreover, as a Christian, I found this a very encouraging book. If you've already made up your mind on either side of the debate, the book will probably just irritate you. But if you're concerned and trying to make sense of the discussion, this book is great. It made clear, for starts, that the culture wars we have now on the separation of church and state started with the founding of the country (and actually before). "Founding Fathers" on both sides of the issue had well-thought-out reasons for their positions, which the author articulates. Most interesting of all, perhaps, is that much of the drive for church-state separation came from Christians who felt that the interaction of government and religion harmed faith, which, after some discussion, turns out to be a compelling view.
In short, I found the book quite valuable, and will keep it instead of donating it to the public library where most of my purchased books go. I wish that I could make those I know on both sides of the issue read this thing.
Fair and balanced, as were they July 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A couple things make this book exceptional. The first thing the reader will soon notice is Waldman's even handed portrayal of Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Henry, Franklin, et al. He is, however, no apologist, nor should he be. Yet, the reasons for the "grand infidel" Jefferson's insistence on isolating Congress from decisions over states' sovereignty with regard to religion deserves--demands--that we understand his motives.
By the way, I live not far from the Massachusetts town of Cheshire, and John Leland's First Baptist Church, the one mentioned in the opening paragraph, where in 1802 local farmers presented Jefferson with a 1,235 pound cheese, emblazoned with "REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD." Coincidentally, I attended my friend's memorial service inside that very same Cheshire First Baptist Church only two weeks ago, and mentioned this book to its present pastor.
Leland, by the way, was considered a "theological forefather" of Jerry Falwell, yet the two couldn't have been more different on the position of separation of religion and government.
"Guard against those men who make a great noise about religion in choosing representatives," Leland wrote.
The alliance of the devoutly religious with Jefferson is a remarkable testimonial to the First Amendment's protection over religious freedoms, and the gift cheese is emblematic of everything hoped for in a new nation's constitution.
The second interesting thing is the research is a hybrid of primary, later, and internet sources. If you don't read the extensive notes pages, you'll be missing out on about one-sixth the content. It's probably starting to become de rigeur, but still interesting that Waldman will list complete web page URLs as his sources. Of course, Waldman is something of his own internet source, being a founder of belief.net.
The major hero of the story is James Madison, who began his adult life as a Congregationalist in New Jersey, but whose eyes were opened when he observed Philadelphia's laissez faire. There he had an epiphany, that government should in no wise stand on any issue even remotely religious, even deciding on such seemingly innocuous matters as Sunday postal closings or Thanksgiving fasts.
Waldman eventually deconstructs contemporary myths that have grown up about our Founding Fathers' "intent," and explores the burning question of our time, whether the U.S. was really established to be a "Christian nation." He even makes an attempt at divining their psyche with respect to modern attributions on these important issues.
One of the pleasant surprises to me was learning how incredibly tolerant and non-partisan George Washington was about religious plurality.
I checked the book out from my local library, but I wouldn't mind owning a personal copy for future reference. I suggest combining this with Susan Jacoby's "Freethinkers"
Fabulous book. June 11, 2008
Fabulous book, especially if you are into American History with a little religion thrown in. Great.
Excellent Religious History Of Early America June 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Mr. Waldman has written a very thorough and very readable book about religion in the era of the Revolutionary War as well as the role of religion in the creation of the constitution and the First Amendment. Mr. Waldman has not only written an account of the trends in the period of the constitution but describes the religious beliefs of the most important figures of the period, namely John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Goerge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Mr. Waldman demonstrates how these men were religious and believed in the role and utility of religion in society but were not dogmatic. Instead these men often used reason and conscience to refine and modify religious dogma. Mr. Waldman also describes how evangelicals as well as religious skeptics helped formulate the First Amendment to protect religion as well as skepticism from any government sponsored or established church.
It must be noted that Mr. Waldman's book is extremely well referenced with both extensive footnotes and references. Mr. Waldman has obviously done original and stirling work in the research for this book. And Mr. Waldman does his best to be objective, to present the evidence regardless of its effect on the present day religious debate. Needless to say this book is invaluable.
Will this book end present day religious disputes? No. But this book will provide a factual and objective basis to uderlay the debate.
Mr. Waldman has demonstrated he is able to be much more than a weenie of the uberstatist Charles Peters.
Give this book a read.
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