Backfired

Being that this book is made up almost entirely of primary sources, it is difficult to argue that what Federer has compiled is anything but the truth. Certainly, anyone can take quotes out of context; on the contrary, though, Federer puts quotes that have been misquoted back into their original context, which is refreshing.

I remember the first time I heard Mr. Federer. He was of the position that it was ok for states to disallow atheists to run for public office or to be even notary publics. This is most ironic because Federer states that his religion led to tolerance of other beliefs. Secularists had to fight for being tolerated in society. Just 150 years ago it was politically correct to imprison someone for the imaginary crime of "blasphemy." I believe that Mr. Federer if alive at that time would probably have defended those kind of laws. There is no free exercise in the bible. In fact worshiping other deities is punishable in the bible, including by death. Hardly a basis for freedom. The fact is, up to 50 years ago Christian conservatives were used to the government actively promoting their religion without restraint. Now that the government is limited in its' promotion of Christianity, men and women like Mr. Federer are angry. I support the right of Christians to freely proclaim their belief but the government must be neutral when it comes to religion. Let the marketplace of ideas decide the question if a deity exists or not.