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
Buy New: $17.85
You Save: $12.10 (40%)
New (20) Used (9) from $16.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 720834
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
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new item. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: P20080718110015S
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
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.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Fair and balanced, as were they July 24, 2008
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 who eyes were opened when he observed Philadelphia's laissez faire. It was there his 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.
Faith and Government May 27, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Founding Faith is a very timely book. Many people on the far left and far right like to use words from some of our founding fathers as evidence that their philosophies are justified. Waldman is very balanced throughout this book. He shows how both sides get it wrong and where they get part of it right. In this book the central topic is as the title makes clear the role of religion in the founding of our nation. Key individuals discussed in some depth include George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and James Madison "the father of the Constitution".
This period in American history, like other major periods including the Civil War, has seen a real proliferation of titles for the public's consumption, indicating a high interest and a real market (profit interest is always a factor) in the public's yearning to know more about our roots as a nation. The First Amendment rights, which include freedom of religion, are rights deeply ingrained in most Americans, but do we really know the background behind it. This is Waldman's focus.
Waldman looks at the earliest settlers and the role religion played, which was a significant one. Many were seeking religious liberty from the incidents of oppression experienced in Great Britain. But along with this search for religious freedom came some not so pleasant attitudes, such as anti-Catholicism, persecution of "witches" and others who held "deviant" beliefs. The Great Awakening and the impact of preachers like George Whitefield and others are all discussed in the course of the early years of the United States. Of course what will probably interest most readers are the views held by the "big figures" of the Revolutionary War period and the early years of the republic. What did Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Madison, and others think about faith? Were the founders Deists? Did they really want a wall of separation between church and state? Were they pluralists or were they tolerant of the Christian faith only? These are the types of questions that will be asked and at least partially answered.
As Waldman writes, Washington's experience as commander of the Continental Army and its diverse group of men had a major impact on his attitude towards the diversities of faith. Jefferson's enlightenment views and his views of the clergy had a lasting impact on his religious attitudes. Madison's experiences in a Christian associated university and the plight of minority Christian denominations in his home region of Virginia were factors in shaping his views. In essence, the backgrounds of each founder had lasting impact. But in addition, these views could evolve or become more simplified as time passed for these leaders.
Many other figures make appearances here including other prominent politicians, preachers, and etc. who played a role in the debates surrounding religious liberty. There were established churches in many of the colonies before and after the famous First Amendment was ratified. The debate over a national establishment of a particular faith was what most interested the founders, though some did see a problem at the state level. Madison is the man who most comes across as the one who wanted to ensure through the law that government and religion should be protected from each other, but as Madison believed, according to the author, for the betterment of religion. Why did religion need the support of government when faith and belief in God should be enough? This is the type of reasoning the author makes in discerning the views held by those who argued for separation of church and state.
This is an endlessly fascinating study and could lead to further analysis of each of these major founders and how they were influenced by faith, but I'm cutting it short. I found it an enjoyable read and one that will hopefully lead people to be more open to interpreting what was said and done by our nation's earliest leaders.
Right on Target May 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A first-rate work of historical scholarship. Based on a close reading of original texts, Waldman neatly corrects the distortions wrought by partisans on the issue of separation of church and state in America. Those on the right will, if they are honest, be chastened for their belief that Christianity is somehow embedded in our federal government (it is not), while those on the left will be surprised to learn that the Founders were as much concerned to PROMOTE Christianity through separation of church and state as they were to ensure man's freedom not to participate in religion at all. Particularly illuminating to this reader was Waldman's point that the 1789 Founders did not view the Constitution as precluding establishment of particular religions by the STATES -- and that it was not until the protections of the First Amendment were deemed "incorporated" into the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of due process to citizens of the several states that this policy was proscribed. This is a must read for anyone who, like me, believes in the strict separation of church and state, for, merely by laying out the facts in an even-handed and objective way, Waldman establishes the central point: honest people can disagree how much the Founders wanted Christianity to flourish in our society; they cannot disagree that neither Christianity nor any other religion forms any part of our CONSTITUTIONAL order.
|
|
|
