Customer Reviews

Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Moral Minority" by Brooke Allen is a brilliant refutation of the popular but misbegotten notion that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation. Ms. Allen profiles the religious lives of six key Founding Fathers and proves that their scepticism was in fact widely shared among the vanguard of the Enlightenment. Placing the founder's source writings within their proper historical context and astutely drawing parallels to the culture wars of our own time, this important work deserves to be read by a wide audience.

Ms. Allen dedicates individual chapters to the religious attitudes of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. Ms. Allen peruses the personal correspondences and other original documents of the founders to discuss how their thinking on religion might have developed over the course of their lives. In most cases, she finds that with education and life experiences came expressions of disillusionment and even hostility to organized religion, providing further evidence that these attitudes only became more resolute with age. In the case of Washington, who wrote almost nothing on the subject, the author presents strong circumstantial evidence that the first president was at best a Deist but almost certainly not a Christian.

Ms. Allen finds a modern antecedent in the person of Hamilton, whose defense of the Constitution's no establishment clause did not prevent him from advocating the use of religion as a political weapon. We learn that Hamilton's cynical political tactic to label Jefferson as the champion of 'no god!!!' during the 1800 presidential contest backfired, even as the advent of the Second Great Awakening was threatening to elevate religion as a major campaign issue. Interestingly, Ms. Allen shows that religious groups rallied around Jefferson specifically for his staunch defense of church/state separation and his personal guarantee that no national religion would be established.

The final two chapters expound upon the character of the American colonies and the Enlightenment values that shaped the founder's attitudes. Through Ms. Allen's compelling comparative analysis, there is no doubt that many of the founders shared a widespread revulsion of organized religion in general and of Christianity in particular. Ms. Allen cites the works of John Locke, David Hume, Adam Smith and others as evidence that Enlightenment thinkers sought to separate ethics from religion, prefering the moral examples that might be drawn from Classical ideals to religious superstition and ritual; importantly, the author draws a straight line to the founders who were guided by these great texts in their architecting of the U.S. system of government.

I highly recommend this powerfully persuasive and irrefutable book to everyone.

Brooke Allen is most known for her stellar literary criticism in journals like New Criterion and the Hudson Review, but here, she leaves her "conservative journal" credentials to the side and examines six of the Founders' religious views and their impact on our formation of government. Religious conservatives will be disabused of their "Christian Nation" and "Reconstructionist" views.

While 6 of 51 Constitutional Conventioneers does not establish the whole Convention's point of view, certainly Washington, Franklin, Madison, Jefferson, Adams, and Hamilton were the central architects of our Founding Documents. What Allen aims to show is that these six individuals in particular were not normative Christians, and whatever religious views they held (mainly Deism or unorthodox Theism), the Enlightenment Ideals, not Christianity, prevailed. But, of course, it did.

One finds not a single Judeo-Christian notion, belief, concept, or ideal in any of our founding documents. NO mention of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, the Decalogue, Charity, Faith, Hope, Forgiveness, Non-Judgmentalism, Self-denial, Spiritual Rebirth, etc. is found in any of the founding documents. Not even American "exceptionalism," based on Calvin's Divine Election of the Chosen, is found (however much it continues to surface in practical politics). If America's founding was "Christian," no evidence exists for a single Christian idea.

The Liberal Ideals of the Enlightenment, of course, opposed much of historical Christianity: Notions of self-rule, democracy, autonomy, freedom/liberty, anti-authoritarianism, equality, pluralism, freedom of thought and belief and practice, fairness/justice, impartiality, one-person-one-vote, human rights, diffusion of power, etc., all hail from the Enlightenment. Not one, not one, can be found in the Bible.

The Age of Enlightenment (16-18th centuries) was grounded in Reason, not Religion. Indeed, the Authority of King and Church was opposed by all the Founders. Even those with a decidedly Calvinist cast recognized (largely through self-interest) that privileging any particular form of Christianity would disadvantage theirs. The dominant Enlightenment thinkers, from Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, Hume, Smith, Kant, etc. were either nominal Christians or atheists.

"Obedience" to a book, church, monarch, deity -- some of which had to become manifest, if America was founded on Christianity -- is repudiated. The idea of "religious obedience" was disagreeable, except to the Puritans came to these shores to avoid religious persecution, only to do to others what they sought to avoid in Europe. Thus, the freedom to exercise religion was granted, but no particular religion could be established. It was in the Calvinists, Anabaptists, Anglicans, and Free-Thinkers' interest, all.

One assumes one learned this stuff in high school civics courses. But, it's not ignorance, it's the preposterous Christian Nationists, the Evangelicals, and Biblical Reconstructions who Allen intends to discredit, and she does so with her typical aplomb, elegant and incisive prose, and textual analysis. Anyone who harbors a Religionist Amerika has lost focus of the truth, the facts, and the Age of Enlightenment. Allen sets the record straight, largely in the Founders' own words.

I purchased this book after reading a favorable review in the NY Times Sunday book review. The book uses a variety of sources, including letters and authored documents, to illustrate the very strong views and philosophies many of the founding fathers had on the issue of separation of church and state. The book dives into the historical context for their opinions. Contrary to what many of the Christian Right would have us believe about the view of our founding fathers, by reading original historical sources it is very clear that Jefferson, Madison, Washington, Adams and Franklin felt very strongly that central to the future stability and prosperity of the United States was the need for a separation of church and state. This was driven by moral, philosophical and pracitical considerations. In addition to gaining a much deeper historical perspective on this central tenet of our democracy, which has been under attack by the current administration, was the recognition of the combined brilliance of these men in reading their writings. I also gained a deeper appreciation of the uniqueness of our own constitution and declaration of independence and how it reflects upon the genius of these men and their peers. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing more about the philisophical and moral perspectives of the great men who helped birth our nation.

In response to the "brilliant historian" who gave this book one star because he claims the founders neglected slavery all I can say is people who know nothing about history should not make such outlandish claims. Of course the founders did not neglect slavery...The Constitution banned the slave trade beginning in 1808, and the founders knew that if they banned it before then the southern states would have never ratified the Constitution...and the U.S. as we know it today would not have been formed...at any rate this is an excellent book about the brilliant minds of our founders...

The 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.

Brooke Allen presents a quick history of six of the primary Founding Fathers of the USA and their views towards religion and government. Allen lets each featured statesman speak largely for himself, with excellect excerpts taken in context, conveying the undoubtable position that Franklin, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton were absolutely determined to create a nation which maintained walls between church and state.

Each of the first six chapters features a different statesmen. Throughout, Allen largely excerpts topical writings from letters, speeches, and other documents which offer keen insight into the thoughts and opinions of each man. Allen points out that many modern Christians try to argue that these men were likewise Christian, founding the nation on primarily Christian beliefs and values. By reading the thoughts of these men, that argument could not be any more wrong.

Although none of these men were atheist or agnostic (in modern terms, though Franklin may have been despite a few of his public statements), most were Deists who specifically denied the very Christian beliefs of the divinity of Jesus, revelation, atonement, and the historical value of the Bible. Each man argued prodigiously against mingling church and state.

Latter parts of the book give the reader a nice history of Enlightenment thought which greatly influenced these men. The ideals of natural law and personal freedoms come not from Biblical interpretations and implementations, but instead from enlighted thinkers such as Locke, Paine, Voltaire, and Smith. Allen's history is brief but covers the subject very nicely. Jefferson himself shows that he understood the concepts of natural law to come early Saxons prior to their exposure to Christianity, contrary to the breathless claims made by modern evangelicals and apologists.

Moral Minority is a great book to offer any reader willing to consider the words of the Founders themselves rather than simply accept the modern-day evangelical propaganda regarding our 'Christian' heritage. While there is no doubt that Christianity played a large role in the development of our nation, as did many practicing, devout Christians, the most commonly cited statesment responsible for leading the Revolution and early US govenrment were, without a doubt, against any co-mingling of church and state. It could not be more clear, and it makes the secular-religious struggle over church and state issues today blatantly one of revisionist history by those on the religious side, a deceptive tactic that launched during the lifetimes of these statesmen.

One of the interesting side effects noted by Allen is that the drive for a truly secular government rather than a tolerant one (the tolerant government has an official state religion but offers 'toleration' to other religions) was the development of a more religious population. Had a specific Christian denomination been given sanction, argues Allen, it is very likely that the resulting population would have been less able to develop the wide variety of denominations we now find. By refusing to allow a single sanction, the founders in effect allowed a great diversity of religious varieties to thrive. Though not quite the effect these men were after, all would clearly favor their decision even to this day.

Reading this book should make one angry over the blatant lies and revisionist history taking place by Christians in this nation. Madison, Adams, and Jefferson are doing flips in their respective graves. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a quick history of the opinions of our most important founding statesment concerning religion and church/state matters. Five stars.

Brooke Allen's 'Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers' could hardly be more necessary coming as it does during the reign of a President who uses federal funds to directly promote religion and a Supreme Court that refuses to allow review of same (Hein v. FFRF).

As Allen demonstrates in this tidy little dynamo of a book our primary founders were men of the Enlightenment, skeptical of faith and devoted to reason. Allen's subjects are Washington, Franklin, John Adams, Madison, Jefferson, and Hamilton. Allen presents six biographical essays focusing as her preface states on their "attitudes toward religion in general, and Christianity in particular".

A final chapter that takes up nearly a quarter of the book's 183 pages gives the reader a concise summary of the Enlightenment background as well the 16th-17th century religious turmoil in England from which these leaders ultimately sprang. We read of David Hume refuting intelligent design in 1757 and of retaining a `deliberate doubt' due to lack of evidence. Hume concluded that "the whole is a riddle, an aenigma, an inexplicable mystery. Doubt, uncertainty, suspense of judgment appear the only result of our most accurate scrutiny." One only wishes that Hume had lived to see Darwin blast away these doubts a century later.

Allen does not uncover much new, but she brings it together in an imminently interesting and admirably concise way. George Washington does not give up any secrets, but the evidence suggests at least by strong negative inference that Washington was not a Christian or at most a very half-hearted one. He generally declined to take the sacrament and when a preacher called him on this behavior as setting a bad example for others Washington agreed and never attended church on sacramental Sunday again! (Perhaps more interesting, Allen discloses that most worshippers at least in Washington's church typically departed before taking the sacrament).

An excellent antidote to the nonsense passed around as 'common knowledge' these days. This reader appreciates more and more a writer who can make her point without drowning the reader in needless repetition. Allen succeeds. Very highly recommended.

Many are unaware of that our Founding Fathers refused to establish a "Christian" nation and fought vehemently the idea of a religious test or national religion. The consequence of a secular goverment is the paradoxical flowering of religious expression. America remains one of the most religious nations on Earth despite the attitudes of the "ruling classes" reflected in the Northeast. With the loss of political, financial and social power those views have diminished and the civil ecumencalism that once characterized our nation is no more. The American experiment was unique in the quality and quantity of enlightened intellectuals at this time in history. One could almost infer the hand of Privdence (lol). As sons of the Enlightenment and witnesses to Europe's religious persecution, they came up with a truly revolutionary idea - religious freedom (as opposed to tolerance). One could worship where one wished OR not worship at all. What mattered was civil duty and obedience to civil law that guaranteed rights for the minority in every situation. The Constitution was the summation of the Enlightenment with its emphasis on checks and balances, moeration, natural law and individual freedom.

Ms Allen gives us a brief biographty of six revolutionary "greats" - Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton and Madison. From their own words she infers that all were, at best, deists though for political reasons most were affiliated with a church. Their heroes were men like Locke, Adam Smith, Aristotle (NOT Plato), Joseph Priestly...all men of moderation and rationality. One cannot help but smile at Franklin who, in his popularity with friend and foe alike, reminds one of the great 19th century atheist, Robert Ingersoll, who was chosen to nominate James Blaine for President at the 1876 Republican convention. Washington remains a towering model of silent virtue. Jefferson, a vindictive hypocrite, believed his secular university was his most important accomplishment. Adams, my hero, was willing to change his core beliefs as he matured. Madison's zeal for religious freedom was unsurpassed and Hamilton buttressed Washington with intellectual vigor.

So why not five stars? First was the repitition -lots and lots of it. Second was the brevity - it was more a bookette than a book. Third and the worst was snide remarks against current politicians that was funny the first time but by the fifth it grows weary. She describes historical events in current political terms..."political right", "Fundamentalists", etc. The remarks diminish the book and its message as it appears partisan. Following the biographies was a description of the social and intellectual world of the time. This is important since no one derives their beliefs in a vaccuum.

Politicians have long used religion for political purposes. One recalls Clinton speaking in churches, invoking God, "preaching to the saved", publicly turning to preachers & prayer when caught in adultry. Bush's faith based initiaves cross the line no matter how well intended and the use of ideology over science is disturbing. Ashcroft's Bible studies are unacceptable. Even freethinkers like Howard Dean feel the need to prove their faith. In his case it was the hilarious comment that Job was his favorite book of the NEW Testament (lol). Men and women who never spoke of faith suddenly "get religion" on the campaign trail, "sharing" their most personal beliefs to the audience at hand. This will only stop when we recognize the secular nature of our republic and its founders.

If you believe this is indeed a "Christian nation", founded on Christian principles by and for Christians; if you think our presidents and elected officials should pass the "Are you a Christian?" litmus test; if you think this nation was founded by men who were firm Christians and ardent believers...read this book. Or, if you want a fact-based look at this hotly contested topic, read this book.

Brooke Allen does a masterful job of dissecting the lie that this country was founded to be the bastion of Christian thought, at the exclusion of all others. This nation was founded, as she illustrates through the writings of our founding fathers, to be a bastion of religious freedom -- freedom to be, or not be, whatever you chose. That is not opinion; that is fact. If you find yourself disagreeing, read this book, check out her sources, and then read the words of our founding fathers. You will have no doubt then.

As George Washington wrote (quoted in this book as well) to the congregation of the Touro Synagogue (Newport, Rhode Island) in 1790, "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the free exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support."

Allen shows clearly that the Founding Fathers' intent was NOT to create a benevolent theocracy that allowed freedom amongst Christian sects, and even tolerated a secondary class of non-Christians -- as is widely believed today. The Founding Fathers envisioned a land where, as Washington put it, "a man's religious tenets will not forfeit the protection of the Laws, nor deprive him of the right of attaining and holding the highest Offices that are known in the United States".

She examines the writings of individual Founding Fathers in separate chapters -- not, as some reviewers have suggested, to show that since one man had doubt, we too should have doubts, but to shatter the myth of the pious, deeply religious nature of all of the Founding Fathers (a myth which, as she demonstrated, grew *after* their deaths, during a renewed wave of religiosity) as well as to demonstrate the vision through which this country was created. Allen also examines the climate of thought and politics that produced the founders, in order to better facilitate our understanding of these men.

To be clear...this book is NOT an attack on Christianity. It is NOT an attempt to suggest that all of the founders were agnostic/atheistic/marginally Christian (the contrary is, in fact, stated). It is NOT a suggestion that Christians have no place in politics or American life. It is not a question of Church vs. State, as some have suggested. It is NONE of these things. You can disagree with her opinion, but you cannot dispute the facts. Not all of the Founding Fathers were Christians; some had their doubts. Our nation was NOT created for Christians alone, but for all mankind. Our founders recognized that faith, or its absence, was personal -- not political. Allen's book demonstrates this well, and thus I highly recommend it.

5/5 stars for an extremely enlightening work

Everyone in America should read this book as soon as possible, especially those who imagine (due to disinformation and revisionist pseudohistory put forward by religious zealots) that the Founding Fathers were Christians bent upon establishing what the modern fanatics want, i.e. a Christian nation or even a theocratic police state. The author offers a wealth of thoroughly documented information here. I wonder, for example, how many people know that Thomas Jefferson was so irreligious, and so contemptuous especially of Christianity, that during the political campaign leading to his presidency his political opponents tried to smear him for his lack of piety. The author makes it clear that what the Founding Fathers often said in public and what they said in private (e.g. in letters to each other) were two different things, and that their private utterances abundantly show their skepticism of religious dogma. This is an immensely important book. Buy it. Read it.