A Nation Under God?: The ACLU and Religion in American PoliticsA Nation Under God? raises the question of why the ACLU relentlessly attacks public expressions of mainstream religious faith. The answer, according to the book's argument, is that the work of the ACLU is informed by a larger political project-modern liberalism-to transform American government and society into an administrative-welfare state. Modern liberalism requires two decisive changes in American politics if it is to be successful: First, the government of limited powers mandated by the Constitution must become a government of unlimited powers and scope. Second, free, self-reliant, and independent citizens must become dependent on and understand themselves as subservient to government. The ACLU's drive to remove religion and morality from the public square advances both goals. Limited, constitutional government rests on the idea that rights come from God; the power of government should be limited commensurate to the limited purpose of legitimate government: to protect our natural, God-given rights. With God removed from the public square, it becomes much easier politically to argue that government is the source of rights, and that every expansion of government power is tantamount to an expansion of rights. Further, self-reliant citizens are not in need of and are unlikely to support large government welfare programs. But self-reliancy is largely a function of self-control and moral responsibility. Immoral and irresponsible citizens are incapable of providing for themselves and their families. Driving God and morality out of the public square serves to break down public morality, which in turn creates classes of citizens who are dependent on government assistance and regulation. Through endless litigation against public expressions of religion and morality and its distorted interpretations of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses, the ACLU reveals its real agenda and its real allegiance, which is not to the Constitution or Bill of Rights, but to a radical liberal ideology that seeks |
From inside the book
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Page 78
... violate the Establishment Clause . " The Court concluded that " Milford's restriction violates the Club's free speech rights and that no Establishment Clause concern justifies that violation . " 25 Another setback for the ACLU came in ...
... violate the Establishment Clause . " The Court concluded that " Milford's restriction violates the Club's free speech rights and that no Establishment Clause concern justifies that violation . " 25 Another setback for the ACLU came in ...
Page 82
... violate the rights of citizens on the basis of religious dis- crimination . After stating the expanded Lemon test to ... violates that central Establish- ment Clause value of official religious neutrality , there being no neutrality when ...
... violate the rights of citizens on the basis of religious dis- crimination . After stating the expanded Lemon test to ... violates that central Establish- ment Clause value of official religious neutrality , there being no neutrality when ...
Page 102
... violate the Clause . Even laws disestablishing religion might violate the Clause . Disestablishment might easily have a religious purpose and thereby flunk the first prong , or it might well " strengthen and revitalize ” religion and so ...
... violate the Clause . Even laws disestablishing religion might violate the Clause . Disestablishment might easily have a religious purpose and thereby flunk the first prong , or it might well " strengthen and revitalize ” religion and so ...
Contents
The ACLU and Religion in American | 1 |
Religion and Politics in Historical | 11 |
Religion and the Moral Conditions | 25 |
Copyright | |
14 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
A Nation Under God?: The ACLU and Religion in American Politics Thomas L. Krannawitter,Daniel C. Palm No preview available - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
ACLU ACLU's Amendment American Founding argued authority Baldwin Bill of Rights blessings Christian church citizens civil government Claremont Institute Commerce Clause common Congress Creator decision Declaration of Independence defend dictates divine duty equal ernment establish this Constitution Establishment Clause establishment of religion exercise of religion faith Founders Free Exercise Clause free government free speech freedom grateful to Almighty happiness Harry Jaffa Ibid idea Jaffa Jefferson Justice justify practices inconsistent law of nature legislation Lemon test Leo Strauss Madison magistrates mankind means ment mode of worship modern liberalism moral relativism nation natural rights obey ordain and establish person place of worship political philosophy prayer principles progressive progressivism prohibiting promote protection reason regime religion and morality religious belief religious liberty religious test rights of conscience RLUIPA Roger Nash Baldwin rulers Samuel West sect secure Supreme Court Ten Commandments Thomas tion tyranny violate Virginia virtue