Endowed by Our Creator

by Michael I. Meyerson

The debate over the framers concept of freedom of religion has become heated and divisive. This scrupulously researched book sets aside the half-truths, omissions, and partisan arguments, and instead focuses on the actual writings and actions of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and others. Legal scholar Michael I. Meyerson investigates how the framers of the Constitution envisioned religious freedom and how they intended it to operate in the new republic."Endowed by Our Creator" shows that the framers understood that the American government should not acknowledge religion in a way that favors any particular creed or denomination. Nevertheless, the framers believed that religion could instill virtue and help to unify a diverse nation. They created a spiritual public vocabulary, one that could communicate to all including agnostics and atheists that they were valued members of the political community. Through their writings and their decisions, the framers affirmed that respect for religious differences is a fundamental American value. Now it is for us, Meyerson concludes, to determine whether religion will be used to alienate and divide or to inspire and unify our religiously diverse nation.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

383 pages, ebook

First published May 29, 2012

Reviews

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enlightening look at the understanding of religious freedom in the United States, its origins, or NON-origins in colonial laws and life, and the inspired thinkers who framed the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. By providing a thorough analysis of the thinking, intent, and process of the framing generation, the author points out strengths and fallacies in modern thinking on this topic.

Who knew we have a Baptist minister to thank for ahead-of-his-time thinking on the topic of abolishing governmental support and establishment of religion? And who knew that Massachusetts was the very last state to end funding for this sort of thing, and that it took them many years to do so?

This book is scholarly and was heavy going at times for this non-lawyer, but in the end was very rewarding reading.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really informative book. I learned a lot about the early history of religious freedom in America that helped me better understand the complexities involved. This book was a valuable addition to my self-education on religious freedom.