American Heretics: Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and the History of Religious Intolerance

by Peter Gottschalk

In the middle of the nineteenth century a group of political activists in New York City joined together to challenge a religious group they believed were hostile to the American values of liberty and freedom. Called the Know Nothings, they started riots during elections, tarred and feathered their political enemies, and barred men from employment based on their religion. The group that caused this uproar?: Irish and German Catholics―then known as the most villainous religious group in America, and widely believed to be loyal only to the Pope. It would take another hundred years before Catholics threw off these xenophobic accusations and joined the American mainstream. The idea that the United States is a stronghold of religious freedom is central to our identity as a nation―and utterly at odds with the historical record. In American Heretics , historian Peter Gottschalk traces the arc of American religious discrimination and shows that, far from the dominant protestant religions being kept in check by the separation between church and state, religious groups from Quakers to Judaism have been subjected to similar patterns of persecution. Today, many of these same religious groups that were once regarded as anti-thetical to American values are embraced as evidence of our strong religious heritage―giving hope to today's Muslims, Sikhs, and other religious groups now under fire.

Genres: Religion, History, Nonfiction, American History, American

242 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2013

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars- This is a great example of approachable history of religion that anyone could read & enjoy! I particularly connected with the chapters on Ghost Dancing and the history of Jewish people in America as an ethnoreligious group

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

- I received this book through LibraryThing Early Reviews in exchange or a fair and honest review-

As an admitted heretic myself, I was very interested in reading this book, which investigates the intolerance against various religious groups over the history of our country's existence, looking at the social dynamics, themes, and other ingredients or dynamics of intolerance (in fact, the conclusion lists such anxieties and dynamics in pages 202-208).

The author starts our exploration with intolerance against Quakers and moves on to highlight Irish Catholics, Sioux, Jews, Mormons, The Branch Davidians, and Islam. In the conclusion the author demonstrates the intent of our founding fathers in creating "an idealistic commitment to universal plurality" (page 197), rejecting "the religious partialities of the past, opting for pluralism and equality to ensure the freedom of conscience of all individuals" (page 198).

So the book shows us what the ideal was intended to be, where we have failed to live up to that ideal, and, in a way, a challenge to do better in the future.

On page 210, he ends the book by saying:
"Through greater insight into the varieties of religion, the dynamics of prejudice, and the complexities of national life, Americans can better avoid the biases, stereotypes, and provocations that betray their own ideals yet have too frequently appeared on the country's political and social landscape."
This book should be read by anyone who cares about interfaith relationships or religious intolerance. By understanding the examples of intolerance presented in the text, we can be better prevent, or counter, such acts in the future. It is a very engaging read, and is full of illustrations relevant to the text.

Rating: Five out of five stars

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Heretics is a fascinating look at the history of religion and the associated intolerance within the United States. For a nation supposedly founded on freedom of religious choice, our society is remarkably judgmental. This book offers surprising insight into the way our religious snobbery has evolved over the years.

While not an overly long book, Peter Gottschalk manages to fit in an astounding amount of information. The book is well organized and easy to read. Gottschalk makes no religious or moral claims, nor does he attempt to lecture or preach. He simply provides the mirror reflecting our hypocrisy.

This is one of those books that pertains to everyone, regardless of your religious base (or lack thereof). I highly recommend this book to everyone. And please read with an open mind. You might be surprised at how much of yourself you see within these pages.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and very readable. Each chapter could stand alone. I especially learned a lot from the chapter on The Branch Davidians, and the last two chapters, which I read first, helped me understand the Islamaphobia and Anti-Muslim sentiment in our world today. Also of importance is the chapter on The Sioux and the Ghost Dance. This is a book I will likely refer to again.

[Kookkai'Z Pornprom]

good