Books tell of Founders' fight for religious freedom, beliefs

Published: 2006-06-23

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- This Fourth of July, Americans not only can celebrate their independence but also their religious liberty, thanks to our Founding Fathers. "The Founders on Religion: A Book of Quotations" and "Washington's God" both illustrate the truth about the Founders' faiths and religious beliefs. James Hutson, chief of the manuscript division at the Library of Congress, is the editor of "The Founders on Religion." He spoke at a luncheon on Capitol Hill at the Rayburn House Office Building June 13. Hutson said many books of quotations only mention one or two things about the Founders' religion and try too hard to make a case for what they believed by using anecdotes that are false, which he said damages the credibility of what is true. In "Washington's God," co-authors Michael Novak and his daughter, Jana, both Catholics, examine the way George Washington spoke of God and providence. They also debunked the myth that Washington was a deist. Deists reject revelation or authority as sources of belief, believing in God purely on rational grounds.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .