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| I also recommend reading this too. |
This is an extremely sensitive subject, so I'll be respectful while talking about it. The point of Waldman's book is to analyze and research the religious views of the Founding Fathers and the results of those views in the creation of the Constitution. The author is also sure to include the historical context of religious rights and compare it to the modern debates.
Understanding the then-new nation's concerns about religious freedom during the foundation of the Constitution makes reasons for certain issues clearer; for example, Baptists were a leading group for high separation of church and state in the beginning because they feared persecution from a religiously lead government. Waldman's book also clarifies why an official religion was not chosen. Personally, I appreciate that the Founding Fathers chose to learn from the mistakes of Europe's past and skip all the Inquisition and theocracy nonsense.
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| Quakers were also fighting hard to keep Congress from choosing an official religion. |
I had to read this book for Religion and Politics class, but I happily kept it because it was easy to read, respectful of the difference of opinions, and well-researched and unbiased (though many could very well argue differently according to their own religious views and political opinions). I'm not recommending this book because I advocate Waldman's conclusion of maintaining a high wall of separation between church and state; in an ideal world, I would rather see a low wall and let everyone do their thing. For those to look to follow in the Founding Fathers' footsteps in politics, I would prescribe this book so that a comprehensive insight into the past could be had.
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