God And The Constitution

Argues that Christians can and should approach politics in a way informed by faith. Draws upon traditions of both Catholic and Protestant political thought to analyze the ways in which religion influences our understanding of power, justice, and democracy. [book cover].

The Godless Constitution is a ringing rebuke to the religious right's attempts, fueled by misguided and inaccurate interpretations of American history, to dismantle the wall between church and state erected by the country's founders. The authors, both distinguished scholars, revisit the historical roots of American religious freedom, paying particular attention to such figures as John Locke, Roger Williams, and especially Thomas Jefferson, and examine the controversies, up to the present day, over the proper place of religion in our political life. With a new chapter that explores the role of religion in the public life of George W. Bush's America, The Godless Constitution offers a bracing return to the first principles of American governance.

Balancing respect for religious conviction and the values of liberal democracy is a daunting challenge for judges and lawmakers, particularly when religious groups seek exemption from laws that govern others. Should students in public schools be allowed to organize devotional Bible readings and prayers on school property? Does reciting "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance establish a preferred religion? What does the Constitution have to say about displays of religious symbols and messages on public property? Religion and the Constitution presents a new framework for addressing these and other controversial questions that involve competing demands of fairness, liberty, and constitutional validity. In this second of two major volumes on the intersection of constitutional and religious issues in the United States, Kent Greenawalt focuses on the Constitution's Establishment Clause, which forbids government from favoring one religion over another, or religion over secularism. The author begins with a history of the clause, its underlying principles, and the Supreme Court's main decisions on establishment, and proceeds to consider specific controversies. Taking a contextual approach, Greenawalt argues that the state's treatment of religion cannot be reduced to a single formula. Calling throughout for acknowledgment of the way religion gives meaning to people's lives, Religion and the Constitution aims to accommodate the maximum expression of religious conviction that is consistent with a commitment to fairness and the public welfare.

Using the writings of the founders and records of their conversations and activities, John Eidsmoe demonstrates the influence of Christianity on the political convictions of the founding fathers.

"Our Founders would not recognize today's America. Christianity is under attack as never before. My career as a Baptist minister and as chaplain of the Texas House of Representatives has, in a sense, taken me to both sides of Jefferson's metaphorical 'wall of separation.' Mr. Armstrong puts it a bit differently: 'There should be at least a short fence of separation between Caesar and God. If the divider falls, government will strong-arm religion.' Instead of relying on sound bites, headlines, and e-mails, he takes you straight to the Supreme Court opinions that have shaped the religion clauses of the First Amendment. You will likely be very surprised at what you find. It's OK to Say 'God' brings the Constitution back to Main Street where it belongs. His commentary is both eye-opening and refreshing. His suggestions of how Christians should respond to the culture war focus more on fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ than on whether a nativity scene or a Menorah should win the favor of the courts at Christmas. Whether you decide to implement his suggestions in your life or not, Mr. Armstrong is most concerned that all Americans stop living in ignorance of these most important laws of our land. Learn as a family--discuss these truths with your children and grandchildren--and start living your faith out loud, for contrary to false rumor, it really is OK to bring God back into our culture and back into our government. Tad will show you the way." --Pastor R.B. Hall, former chaplain of the Texas House of Representatives

This document's purpose is to spell out the Church's understanding of the nature of revelation--the process whereby God communicates with human beings. It touches upon questions about Scripture, tradition, and the teaching authority of the Church. The major concern of the document is to proclaim a Catholic understanding of the Bible as the "word of God." Key elements include: Trinitarian structure, roles of apostles and bishops, and biblical reading in a historical context.

Now, as never before, basic knowledge of our governmental heritage is essential if we want to be empowered to keep elected officials accountable and defeat the forces that would destroy our freedoms. The truths of the Constitution must be embedded in our hearts—(not blocked out by social media or minds captured by electronic devices) as it is the only way to a guarantee of freedom. Since the celebration of the 200th anniversary of our Constitution, all three departments of government have, to a large degree, ignored the Constitution. Neglect of the principles contained in our Constitution has been responsible for the loss of many of the freedoms it guaranteed. A Constitution is Born was written to be a clarion call, loud and clear, for renewed patriotism, a love for country and above all a realization that our direction comes from God, not from man, and we are responsible to Him, our Maker. This brief history of the U.S. Constitution with relevant information is to be a sword of the Lord, piercing the heart and soul, invoking action to carry out His plan as He makes it known to us. Our continuing prayer is that this book will find a special place in the hearts of Americans and that they will read it to their children to provide insight and understanding as to what it means to be a free, courageous American with increased faith in our God who has brought us this far. "The importance of educating our youth about the principles set forth in our Constitution has always been high on my list of priorities. I am pleased and excited to recommend the work of Barbara Aud and Norma Swanson through A Constitution is Born. The book provides a brief history of the Constitution and what it means in layman's terms"—Ronald M. Mann, Former Director and Deputy Director of the Commission of the Bi-Centennial of the Constitution, Special Advisor to President Ronald Reagan "Norma Swanson and Barbara Aud’s new book, A Constitution is Born is a must-read for every American citizen. In this fascinating book, they trace the invisable hand of God in formulating the foundational guiding document for our nation. This book is essential reading for everyone who wants to know the truth of the founding of our country."—Dr. Robert Jeffress, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas and Fox News Contributor. "Our children must understand the freedoms that the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution guarantees for all Americans if our republic is to survive. A Constitution is Born is a vital tool available to all parents, teachers, and all who love liberty. Read this book, teach it to your children, share it with your students, tell your neighbors about it. This is something you can do to light freedom’s way for generations to come."—Dr. Robert Sweet, Jr., Professional Staff Member, Committee on Education and the Workforce, United States House of Representatives "As you become aware of today's political and social climate and the attack on our freedoms, you can't help but think A Constitution is Born could not have been published in a timelier manner. Citizens both young and old, now more than ever, need to understand the sacrifice and principles that were so thoughtfully crafted in the Constitution by its designers. Every household, school and church should have this book and integrate the principles and truths into their lives."—Rose Gamblen, Ph.D, Educational Specialist and Published Author, Professor, Penn State, Producer and Co-Host of My Home School Companion, radio network "I APPLAUD Barbara Aud and Norma Swanson for their many hours of research and labor in producing this very timely book, A Constitution is Born. Never before have we needed to provide for our youth a basic understanding of how they received the freedom by which they live, and how the hand of God moved in the forming of the nation as we know it today. As an educator, I highly recommend that every home and parent make this book a 'must' in the education of their children."—Dr. Arthur Nazigian, Board Chairman Emeritus, Association of Christian Schools International, Published Author, Charter member ACSI Board.

Leonard Levy's classic work examines the circumstances that led to the writing of the establishment clause of the First Amendment: 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. . . .' He argues that, contrary to popular belief, the framers of the Constitution intended to prohibit government aid to religion even on an impartial basis. He thus refutes the view of 'nonpreferentialists,' who interpret the clause as allowing such aid provided that the assistance is not restricted to a preferred church. For this new edition, Levy has added to his original arguments and incorporated much new material, including an analysis of Jefferson's ideas on the relationship between church and state and a discussion of the establishment clause cases brought before the Supreme Court since the book was originally published in 1986.

America's state and national constitutions are virtually ignored in today's society and government. One group says one thing while the other is 180 degrees opposite. No society can exist for very long being so polarized with no set in stone standard for government and societal norms. By reintroducing exactly how American government and society were developed we will be able to follow the already proven path that made The United States of America the shining city on a hill. American Liberty is at stake. Once Liberty is lost it is lost forever. It is time our generation took a stand to insure future generations have the religious and civil liberty established in our constitutions of government for 400 years.