What’s God Got To Do With America?
- Apr 3, 2007 - comment
The Divided States of America by Richard Land
Richard Land’s new book takes on both sides in the debate over religion’s place in our nation’s affairs.
“God has more to do with America than Liberals may think, and less than Conservatives assume,” says Richard Land in his new book, The Divided States of America? What Liberals and Conservatives are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match (Thomas Nelson Inc., April 2007).
Richard Land dares to critique his own “side” as well as those who disagree with him on the role God has played in America’s past and the role God should play in America’s future. Land describes The Divided States of America? as “an equal opportunity offender” with a constructive critique of all sides in this pivotal societal tug-of-war.
In what he calls the “God-and-country shouting match,” Land explores the heated debate among more traditional religious believers, those with a more liberal faith, and those hostile to religious faith.
Listen to Penna Dexter’s interview with Richard Land on For Faith & Family Radio
“The country needs a new way to think about this question,” suggests Land. “When neither side is interested in listening to the other, but each side responds by shouting so loudly that their opponents either can’t or won’t listen, you generate a lot of heat, but very little light.” At the extremes of the debate, Land explains, are those who assume that America is God’s chosen nation and those who wish to purify the public square of any reference to God. Both positions are dangerous, he cautions.
The Divided States of America? tackles the questions that are sure to be reignited with the unofficial launch of the 2008 presidential race: “How should we address the separation of church and state? How has religion influenced this country’s past, and why does it matter now? Does the U.S. have a special ‘role’ to play in the world, and how have U.S. presidents answered this question? In a pluralistic society, how do we strike the right balance in the role of religion in American public life?” The principle of religious freedom once united this country, Land maintains—how tragic if we allow the practice of it to split us apart.
Endorsements (well, just a few of them)
Dr. Land sheds light where others—from left and right—sow confusion. One can disagree on specific policies and still laud the author’s dedication to America’s founding values and his grasp of the proper role of religion in public life. The Divided States of America? is essential reading for fair-minded people.
— former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
One of the clearest, most tightly argued, and informative accounts of religion in the public square today . . . . Anybody who claims to know American political life today without having read it is missing a lot of the story.
— Michael Novak, American Enterprise Institute
This is a lucid statement of a reasonable position on the place of religion in public life. While the author writes from a committed, Evangelical standpoint, his views on church/state relations will be plausible to many who do not share his religious commitment.
— Peter L. Berger, Boston University
Baptists in America have a vibrant tradition of defending freedom, and religious freedom in particular. This thoughtful book demonstrates the ways in which that tradition helps us to think in fresh ways about the foundations of freedom.
— Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, First Things
Richard Land has strong views on God and America . . . . In this new book, he speaks a welcome and necessary word of passionate caution, content neither to preach to the choir nor yell at ideological opponents in the destructive culture wars. Both liberals and conservatives will profit from the analysis and tone of this book. . .
— Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Harvard University
Listen to Penna Dexter’s interview with Richard Land on For Faith & Family Radio
Further Learning
Learn more about: Citizenship, Church and State, Religious Liberty, Issues