DOC Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers by Brooke Allen in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great historical narrative on the religious skepticism of our founding ...By DeanGreat historical narrative on the religious skepticism of our founding fathers. Too many evangelicals and political light-weights (Sarah Palin) have the incorrect belief our founding fathers were tied to Christian beliefs. Many of them were Deists and a couple eschewed religious belief altogether; such as Jefferson and Franklin. A good book for those who like history.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Confirms my public school education.By loraxWhen I went to school; it was so long ago that they still taught American history and Civics. We learned the Founders of our country were influenced by Locke; Paine; Hume; and the Enlightenment. That they knew first hand of the tyrannies and wars in Europe; the sectarian and religious conflicts that caused so much bloodshed. They were determined to not let that happen in the new country they were founding. That's the way I learned my American history.However; today there are right-wing elements that are trying to rewrite history. "He who controls the past; controls the future." These so-called "conservatives" are distorting the truth. This book; "The Moral Minority" goes in great detail; examining the writings and personal letters of the Founding Fathers and re-affirms the truth of this countries founding. It lays waste the lies of fundamentalist Christians that this nation was founded by fundamentalist Christians for fundamentalist Christians.This book gives me the ammunition to counter their arguments and completely destroy their lies. The religious beliefs and motives of six founding Fathers are explored in detail. Jefferson fought hard to keep the wall between Church and State. He founded the first non-religion based University - The University of Virginia. There are some interesting glimpses of the Founders personal lives. George Washington dropped Martha off at church and left her there in order to avoid the Eucharist.The Founding fathers were at most Deists - believers in a Creator; Providence; a higher power. Jesus was a teacher; and enlightened man. Deists do not accept the Trinity; doubt a miraculous virgin birth; or believe in the divinity of Jesus. Many born-again sects would not accept Deists as Christians. So how can they claim that the Founders were Christians bent on founding a Christian nation? The Founders were more influenced by the writers of the Enlightenment then by the Bible.This book will re-affirm what you should have learned in school if you were paying attention.14 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Good; but...By Paul BromanThe last chapter of the book; titled "The World that Produced the Founders;" should probably have started the book. It is easily the best chapter of the book; laying out the history of religious freedom (or lack therof) in England and the American Colonies from the time when King Henry VIII broke with catholicism up to the point when the American Revolution occurred. The other chapters are targeted each on one specific founder; and while the chapters did contain good (and shocking) information on the religious beliefs of each; I believe the author missed out by not dedicating a chapter to the beliefs of Thomas Paine and Ethan Allen (who were more radical than many of the other founders who were given their own chapters). They are covered briefly in another chapter; however. But overall; I'd say this book covers some very important overlooked history which we should definitely not forget in today's day and age.