| A Nation Under God?: The ACLU and Religion in American Politics Contributor(s): Krannawitter, Thomas L. (Author), Palm, Daniel C. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0742550885 ISBN-13: 9780742550889 Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers OUR PRICE: $51.48 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: September 2005 Annotation: A Nation Under God? The ACLU and Religion in American Politics questions the claim of the ACLU that the First Amendment to the Constitution requires the complete cleansing of any religious expression in the American public square. That position, Krannawitter and Palm argue, is not consistent with the principles of the American founding, but derives from early 20th century progressivism and modern liberalism that requires ultimately a reconstituting of the American regime along completely secular lines. A re-examination of the American founding, its theoretical and constitutional principles, allows for limited religious expression without violating the constitutional principle of religious liberty. Published in cooperation with the Claremont Institute. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Civil Rights - Religion | Religion, Politics & State - Law | Constitutional |
| Dewey: 322.109 |
| LCCN: 2005018979 |
| Series: Claremont Institute Statesmanship and Political Philosophy |
| Physical Information: 0.56" H x 7.1" W x 8.94" (0.75 lbs) 264 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 20th Century |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: A Nation Under God? raises the question of why the ACLU relentlessly attacks public expressions of mainstream religious faith. The answer, according to the book's argument, is that the work of the ACLU is informed by a larger political project-modern liberalism-to transform American government and society into an administrative-welfare state. Modern liberalism requires two decisive changes in American politics if it is to be successful: First, the government of limited powers mandated by the Constitution must become a government of unlimited powers and scope. Second, free, self-reliant, and independent citizens must become dependent on and understand themselves as subservient to government. The ACLU's drive to remove religion and morality from the public square advances both goals. Limited, constitutional government rests on the idea that rights come from God; the power of government should be limited commensurate to the limited purpose of legitimate government: to protect our natural, God-given rights. With God removed from the public square, it becomes much easier politically to argue that government is the source of rights, and that every expansion of government power is tantamount to an expansion of rights. Further, self-reliant citizens are not in need of and are unlikely to support large government welfare programs. But self-reliancy is largely a function of self-control and moral responsibility. Immoral and irresponsible citizens are incapable of providing for themselves and their families. Driving God and morality out of the public square serves to break down public morality, which in turn creates classes of citizens who are dependent on government assistance and regulation. Through endless litigation against public expressions of religion and morality and its distorted interpretations of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses, the ACLU reveals its real agenda and its real allegiance, which is not to the Constitution or Bill of Rights, but to a radical liberal ideology that seeks |