We call it the "culture war." It's a running feud over religious diversity that's liable to erupt at any time, in the midst of everything from judicial confirmations to school board meetings. One side demands that only their true religion be allowed in public; the other insists that no religions ever belong there. As the two sides slug it out, the stakes are rising. An ever-growing assortment of faiths insist on an ever-wider variety of truths. How can we possibly all live together and keep both the peace and our integrity (not to mention our sanity)? How can we end the war without surrendering our principles? THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG explains how. It skewers both extremes, which it dubs the "Pilgrims" and the "Park Rangers." Pilgrims get their name from the Plymouth Colony folk who banned Christmas just weeks after celebrating their first Thanksgiving. Pilgrims want to outlaw diversity by declaring their religion the official one. The truth, they say, licenses them to restrict others' freedom. The opposite extreme deals with diversity by trying to drive it underground, eliminating religious expression from public life altogether. The "Park Rangers" are named after the bureaucrats in a too-good-to-be-true story about New Agers, a public park and a certain sacred parking barrier. They say freedom requires them to banish other people's truths. THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG offers a solution that avoids both pitfalls. It draws its lessons from a series of stories —some old, others recent, some funny, others not. They tell of heroes and scoundrels, of riots, rabbis and reverends, Founders and flakes, from the colonial period to the present. The book concludes that freedom for all of us is guaranteed by the truth about each of us: Our common humanity entitles us to freedom — within broad limits — to follow what we believe to be true as our consciences say we must, even if our consciences are mistaken. Thus, we can respect others' freedom when we're sure they're wrong. In truth, they have the right to be wrong.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
" . . . an engaging and forceful brief on behalf of free religious expression . . . sharp and witty . . . I find it persuasive." -- Diane Ravitch, NY Sun
"If you care about religion in America, please read this book." -- Mel Gibson
"an insiring account . . . Hasson writes engagingly about . . . legal wranglings over the First Amendment, and proposes a return to basic principles" -- National Review
"rollicking, surprising, wholly original . . . it flashes light on its subject as nothing else ever has." -- Michael Novak
"If you care about religion in America, please read this book." -- Mel Gibson
"an insiring account . . . Hasson writes engagingly about . . . legal wranglings over the First Amendment, and proposes a return to basic principles" -- National Review
"rollicking, surprising, wholly original . . . it flashes light on its subject as nothing else ever has." -- Michael Novak
About the Author
Kevin Seamus Hasson is the founder and chairman of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a public interest law firm that protects the free expression of all religious traditions. Hasson lives with his family in Fairfax County, Virginia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By F. E. Guerra
Format:Hardcover
Imagine a cross between James Madison, one of our greatest Founding Fathers, and Ernest Hemingway, one of the great modern writers of the English language. If you cannot imagine this, then read this book, for the author writes like Hemingway, as if he were having a friendly conversation with you, but unlike most books about religion and politics, he puts forward political ideas that Madison would most likely approve of.
The author's thesis also has the advantage of being sensible and pragmatic: we should allow for more robust religious pluralism in our society. In many ways, this is precisely the same formula James Madison proposes for secular "factions" (i.e. interest groups).
In the Federalist Papers, Madison correctly notes that "factions" are dangerous, but his originality lies in arguing that we should have more factions, not less, because the more factions there are, the more difficult it is for any one faction to achieve dominance. This is, in effect, what the author proposes for 'religious factions', and I think it is a brilliant solution, a Madisonian solution.
In addition, the author provides a very readable history of religious intolerance on American soil. He gave me a much deeper perspective of the problem than I had before I read his book, and indirectly, he made it easier for me to understand the motives of religious fanatics in the present (especially the problem of intolerance in the Muslim world).
The author's thesis also has the advantage of being sensible and pragmatic: we should allow for more robust religious pluralism in our society. In many ways, this is precisely the same formula James Madison proposes for secular "factions" (i.e. interest groups).
In the Federalist Papers, Madison correctly notes that "factions" are dangerous, but his originality lies in arguing that we should have more factions, not less, because the more factions there are, the more difficult it is for any one faction to achieve dominance. This is, in effect, what the author proposes for 'religious factions', and I think it is a brilliant solution, a Madisonian solution.
In addition, the author provides a very readable history of religious intolerance on American soil. He gave me a much deeper perspective of the problem than I had before I read his book, and indirectly, he made it easier for me to understand the motives of religious fanatics in the present (especially the problem of intolerance in the Muslim world).
29 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Chris B.
Format:Hardcover
In this highly readable book, preeminent constitutional lawyer and First-Amendment scholar Seamus Hasson provides a worthy tour of Church-State relations at law in America.
Mr. Hasson brings a wealth of real-life cases that read stranger than fiction, with such amusing examples as the parking-barrier worshippers, and, beyond the levity, brilliant analysis of one aspect of the culture wars.
The book poses provocative questions and points to some principles that may avert our impalement on the horns of dilemma, largely by providing a rare coherent take on the so-called religion clauses of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Mr. Hasson brings a wealth of real-life cases that read stranger than fiction, with such amusing examples as the parking-barrier worshippers, and, beyond the levity, brilliant analysis of one aspect of the culture wars.
The book poses provocative questions and points to some principles that may avert our impalement on the horns of dilemma, largely by providing a rare coherent take on the so-called religion clauses of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By J. E. Vaino
Format:Hardcover
If any aspect of religious liberty is important to you, you will absolutely want to read Seamus Hasson's engaging book, and you will want to give away copies to your friends -- and your ideological adversaries (why not? you'll win points for generosity and plant seeds of reason).
Never has so painless a remedy been offered over-the-counter to ease the pandemic of (let's put it kindly) limited grasp of the history and issues at the heart of church-state relations and religious freedom in America. Hasson provides a surprisingly complete and highly-readable narrative that leaves you feeling as if you (finally!) understand where this controversy has been, where it's now stalled, and on what basis it actually can be eased.
The book's ambitious subtitle, "Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America," is just that -- ambitious. But, heaven knows, we need a good snort of ambition to not abandon our national quest and settle in the foggy vale of current judicial confusion over application of the Constitution's minimalist Establishment Clause to the States by its incorporation into the Fourteenth Amendment. Confused already? Well, the courts aren't doing much better.
Hasson points to the historic basis of individual and collective religious freedoms in rights arising from our nature as free beings. Every person must be acknowledged free to follow -- and publicly express -- his or her own conscience, regardless of law. This may seem idealistic, but it holds the clarity and universality lacking in all the other attempted approaches the author colorfully describes.
If, having absorbed the history of "Pilgrims and Park Rangers", the "sacred parking barrier" worshippers, and the other characters Hasson marches across the stage, you can arrive at grappling with the origin and basis of your religious freedom, and your neighbor's, you will have gained something truly important -- and we will all be better equipped to take the promise of liberty forward in this generation.
This right-sized volume should be a great holiday read for you and your friends. The whole book is an unexpected page-turner. Hurrah, Hasson!
Never has so painless a remedy been offered over-the-counter to ease the pandemic of (let's put it kindly) limited grasp of the history and issues at the heart of church-state relations and religious freedom in America. Hasson provides a surprisingly complete and highly-readable narrative that leaves you feeling as if you (finally!) understand where this controversy has been, where it's now stalled, and on what basis it actually can be eased.
The book's ambitious subtitle, "Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America," is just that -- ambitious. But, heaven knows, we need a good snort of ambition to not abandon our national quest and settle in the foggy vale of current judicial confusion over application of the Constitution's minimalist Establishment Clause to the States by its incorporation into the Fourteenth Amendment. Confused already? Well, the courts aren't doing much better.
Hasson points to the historic basis of individual and collective religious freedoms in rights arising from our nature as free beings. Every person must be acknowledged free to follow -- and publicly express -- his or her own conscience, regardless of law. This may seem idealistic, but it holds the clarity and universality lacking in all the other attempted approaches the author colorfully describes.
If, having absorbed the history of "Pilgrims and Park Rangers", the "sacred parking barrier" worshippers, and the other characters Hasson marches across the stage, you can arrive at grappling with the origin and basis of your religious freedom, and your neighbor's, you will have gained something truly important -- and we will all be better equipped to take the promise of liberty forward in this generation.
This right-sized volume should be a great holiday read for you and your friends. The whole book is an unexpected page-turner. Hurrah, Hasson!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real tolerance is a two way street
A must read for those who recognize true tolerance is a two way street. Author is the founder of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and this book is a great introduction to his... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kodiak reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyable
It was an enjoyable,compassionate,interes ting read. Hasson explains that our humanity entitles us to the freedom we seek
& how to achieve it.
& how to achieve it.
Published 7 months ago by edythe
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book...must read
This book is so thorough in our country's religious history. He says so eloquently what isn't being heard today. We need to stand up for our beliefs as our ancestors have done.
Published 7 months ago by Carol Mattern
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
Perfectly gives voice to the difference between freedom from religion and freedom of religion. We all have the right to be wrong, and this book gives great historical insight into... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Pen Name
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for Religious Freedom advocates
This is a challenging read for all people involved in the Religious Freedom movement. Those on both sides of this movement would benefit greatly.
Published 11 months ago by stitcher
3.0 out of 5 stars
Right and Wrong in Church and State
Kevin Hasson describes two groups defined by opposing views of church and state relationships--the "Park Rangers," who want religion to be exclusively private, and "Pilgrims," who... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Rex M. Rogers
1.0 out of 5 stars
Giant Category Mistake From the Catholic Jay Sekulow
The news that Seamus Hasson whose Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has about as much to do with real liberty as Jay Sekulow's American Center for Law and Justice does, is leaving... Read more
Published on May 17, 2011 by Peter P. Fuchs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent Overview of Right to Religious LIberty
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in a thoroughly-engaging, very informative look at the evolution of religious liberty in America. Read more
Published on July 13, 2008 by A Lancaster, PA reader
1.0 out of 5 stars
Cretinous Moronic Idiocy
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It is poorly written and poorly argued. The author seems to believe that religious people have the right to express their views,... Read more
Published on October 10, 2007 by Mike Finn
2.0 out of 5 stars
Almost right, but then went so very wrong
This book was fascinating, and a very enjoyable read. The early history of religion and faith in our country was not only extremely well written and thorough, but was also... Read more
Published on February 16, 2007 by Truth Seeker
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 37
books:
See all 37 books this book cites
- The Founders' Constitution (5 Volume Set) by Philip Kurland on 4 pages
- Notes on the State of Virginia (Penguin Classics) by Thomas Jefferson on page 84, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Lustre of Our Country: The American Experience of Religious Freedom by John T. Noonan Jr. in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Liberty and Conscience: A Documentary History of the Experiences of Conscientious Objectors in America through the Civil War by Peter Brock in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 37 books this book cites
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