| First Freedom First: A Citizens' Guide to Protecting Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State Contributor(s): Gaddy, C. Welton (Author), Lynn, Barry W. (Author), Grove, Andrew S. (Preface by) |
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ISBN: 0807042242 ISBN-13: 9780807042243 Publisher: Beacon Press OUR PRICE: $12.60 Product Type: Paperback Published: April 2008 Annotation: A much-needed rallying cry for progressives concerned about our constitutional first freedom--to worship religion freely, or not at all The guarantee of religious liberty is the bedrock on which other freedoms in our nation were built. Religious liberty and its corollary of church-state separation make up our first freedom. That first freedom is now in trouble. In First Freedom First, two of the most respected commentators on this vital national issue speak out. Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, a leader of the interfaith movement, explains how the protection of religious liberty will in turn greatly protect our very system of government, while Rev. Barry W. Lynn, a lawyer and religious figure, explains the legal history to show where we stand today. In his preface, Intel cofounder and former CEO Andrew S. Grove provides his personal story of coming to America after growing up Jewish in Hungary during the Nazi invasion and under a Communist government. First Freedom First also includes a vital resource section with answers to frequently asked questions regarding this fundamental right and a list of easy and even fun activities readers can do to help protect religious liberty. "This is a book for every American. Gaddy and Lynn have provided us with a volume that informs and challenges, as well as inspires and guides us on issues of vital importance to all of us--our founding fathers' vision for religious liberty and their constitutional guarantee of separation of church and state. I applaud this book as a tool for preserving our democracy's greatest treasure." --Walter Cronkite |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science | Civil Rights - Religion | Religion, Politics & State - Political Science | Political Freedom |
| Dewey: 323.442 |
| LCCN: 2007038367 |
| Physical Information: 0.61" H x 5.74" W x 8.52" (0.63 lbs) 216 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The United States is the most religiously diverse nation in the world, due in large part to the clauses of the First Amendment that guarantee freedom for and from religion. But as we debate displaying Christmas trees at city hall and the Ten Commandments in the courthouse, we must ask: in what other ways is our religious liberty being compromised. In First Freedom First, with clear language and recognizable examples, two of the most trusted voices on church-state separation address head-on the many areas where religion and politics overlap, with consequences for all Americans. This book is for anyone concerned about such issues as: * Churches hosting politicians and insisting they give testaments of their faith * Science teachers questioning the theory of evolution in their public school classrooms * Public religious debates on private issues involving end-of-life decisions and reproductive choices * Federal funding for religious organizations, including those that discriminate openly With religion a constant presence in political discussions, First Freedom First offers practical and easy ways to remind our leaders and our community of the importance of keeping religion and politics separate, for the sake of both institutions. |