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The Founding Myth

Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American

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The Founding Myth

By: Andrew L. Seidel, Susan Jacoby - Foreword
Narrated by: Christopher Grove
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About this listen

Do "In God We Trust", the Declaration of Independence, and other historical "evidence" prove that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Are the Ten Commandments the basis for American law? A constitutional attorney dives into the debate about religion's role in America's founding.

In today's contentious political climate, understanding religion's role in American government is more important than ever. Christian nationalists assert that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and advocate an agenda based on this popular historical claim. But is this belief true? The Founding Myth answers the question once and for all.

Andrew L. Seidel, a constitutional attorney at the Freedom from Religion Foundation, builds his case point by point, comparing the Ten Commandments to the Constitution and contrasting biblical doctrine with America's founding philosophy, showing that the Bible contradicts the Declaration of Independence's central tenets. Thoroughly researched, this persuasively argued and fascinating book proves that America was not built on the Bible and that Christian nationalism is, in fact, un-American.

©2019 Andrew L. Seidel; Foreword copyright 2019 Susan Jacoby (P)2019 Tantor Americas Atheism Bible Study Bibles & Bible Study Christianity Political Science Politics & Government United States Law Freedom Colonial Period
All stars
Most relevant
Very compelling.
Interesting, and well researched. The only thing wrong with this book is the people who need to read it, won't.

Makes a very, very strong case

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A really great book . A must read for everyone world wide. It should be in high schools.

eye opening

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This is what a good legal mind can do - a lesson on the origin of the US constitution and what it is about and a forensic analysis of Biblical beliefs. I am not American and neither am I wholly antithetical toward Christianity. I found the book deeply rational and engrossing - full of fairly made arguments. There was no hint of irrational atheistic bias - just relentlessly solid reasoning.

Thorough, rational and persuasive

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This book is, as expected, well researched, thorough and clearly written.
I've watched talks by and interviews with Seidel, and this book further demonstrates his deep knowledge of the subject.
I understand that he added an epilogue after the Jan 6th 2021 insurrection, which would be a welcome addition as a pdf download for those who bought the earlier version.

Well written with coherent structure

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