Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Brian63 · 03-16-2002, 08:21 AM

Many of you folks may be interested in this:

Sunday night (8pm EST) C-SPAN is running an interview with Michael Novak of the American Enterprise Institute. It appears that he'll talking about his new book about the faiths of our Founding Fathers.

My VCR will be set.

Brian

fromtheright · 03-16-2002, 01:22 PM

I've just started reading the book (On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding). It's interesting, but it's a bit much even from my religious right perspective.

Toto · 03-16-2002, 03:04 PM

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893554341/internetinfidelsA" target="_blank">On Two Wings : Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding</a> by Michael Novak.

from the Amazon reviews:

Quote:

From Library Journal
Novak (religion and public policy, American Enterprise Inst.; Belief and Disbelief) argues that religion played a central role in the lives of, and the documents by, the founders of the American republic. He further attempts to show how Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and others had in common a "humble faith." He is most convincing when presenting evidence that biblical language and allusions permeated the writings of these leaders but is less successful in showing that the religion they thought useful for others also held personal importance for them. The book is weakened by a definition of religious faith so broad that "humble faith" becomes merely religious sensibility. Novak is clearly passionate about his topic, but he relies heavily on secondary works, so that at times this is more of a summary than an addition to the topic. Useful for collections seeking differing viewpoints on American history. Jan Blodgett, Davidson Coll., NC

Brian63 · 03-18-2002, 01:11 PM

fromtheright,

I watched the program last night and found it enjoyable. The beliefs of our founding fathers is not a topic I'm familiar with, but based upon my very limited understanding Novak didn't say anything that I thought was way over the edge. His book is one I'll probably read (but I won't get to it for a long, long, long, long time). I am curious though of why you think "it's a bit much" even from your religious right perspective.

Thanks,

Brian

fromtheright · 03-18-2002, 07:09 PM

Brian63,

Again keep in mind that I've just started reading it but he made the point that the Declaration was essentially written as a prayer. While I believe the Founders were far closer to Christianity than do the atheists on this board, that is quite a stretch. I think that Pauline Maier sets it in the best historical perspective in her American Scripture. One of the best from a Christian conservative perspective is Gary Amos's Defending the Declaration.

Brian63 · 03-19-2002, 12:06 PM

fromtheright,

Thanks for the info. I do recall him saying something along the lines of "it is a major misconception that the Founding Fathers were deists, rather than Christians" [this is definitely not an exact quote]. The commonly held opinion on this board though, as you say, seems to be exactly that they were for the most part deists.

Interesting topic.

Brian

lpetrich · 03-19-2002, 04:30 PM

We only have details on the beliefs of some of the leading ones; however, they were anything but orthodox scriptural percussionists.

If our Founding Fathers had wanted to set up a state church, they would have done so. My guess is that they would have set up an American version of the Anglican Church as the US's official state religion. Born-againism would be frowned upon, and Catholics would be considered idolators who swear allegiance to a foreign power.

03-16-2002, 08:21 AM	#1
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	C-SPAN program of interest Many of you folks may be interested in this: Sunday night (8pm EST) C-SPAN is running an interview with Michael Novak of the American Enterprise Institute. It appears that he'll talking about his new book about the faiths of our Founding Fathers. My VCR will be set. Brian

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03-16-2002, 01:22 PM	#2
fromtheright Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 633	I've just started reading the book (On Two Wings: Humble Faith and Common Sense at the American Founding). It's interesting, but it's a bit much even from my religious right perspective.

03-18-2002, 01:11 PM	#4
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	fromtheright, I watched the program last night and found it enjoyable. The beliefs of our founding fathers is not a topic I'm familiar with, but based upon my very limited understanding Novak didn't say anything that I thought was way over the edge. His book is one I'll probably read (but I won't get to it for a long, long, long, long time). I am curious though of why you think "it's a bit much" even from your religious right perspective. Thanks, Brian

03-18-2002, 07:09 PM	#5
fromtheright Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 633	Brian63, Again keep in mind that I've just started reading it but he made the point that the Declaration was essentially written as a prayer. While I believe the Founders were far closer to Christianity than do the atheists on this board, that is quite a stretch. I think that Pauline Maier sets it in the best historical perspective in her American Scripture. One of the best from a Christian conservative perspective is Gary Amos's Defending the Declaration.

03-19-2002, 12:06 PM	#6
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	fromtheright, Thanks for the info. I do recall him saying something along the lines of "it is a major misconception that the Founding Fathers were deists, rather than Christians" [this is definitely not an exact quote]. The commonly held opinion on this board though, as you say, seems to be exactly that they were for the most part deists. Interesting topic. Brian

03-19-2002, 04:30 PM	#7
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	We only have details on the beliefs of some of the leading ones; however, they were anything but orthodox scriptural percussionists. If our Founding Fathers had wanted to set up a state church, they would have done so. My guess is that they would have set up an American version of the Anglican Church as the US's official state religion. Born-againism would be frowned upon, and Catholics would be considered idolators who swear allegiance to a foreign power.

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