Publishers Weekly
03/11/2019
Waldman (Founding Faith), founder of multifaith website Beliefnet, offers a fine overview of the growth of religious freedom in the United States. While the framers of the U.S. Constitution debated the place of religious freedom, it was James Madison, Waldman writes, who championed the separation of church and state and, in particular, the idea that states could not establish an official faith. Waldman details how Native Americans, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Jews later looked to Madison’s ideas in order to argue for equal treatment. It was not until after WWII that religious freedoms taken for granted today were established as the result of pressure placed on the political (particularly from Catholic groups, who organized diverse coalitions into voting blocks) and legal systems (including 23 Jehovah’s Witnesses cases argued in front of the Supreme Court between 1938 and 1946) to widen concepts of religious freedom to include the freedom of public religious expression and protections guarding against religious bias. Waldman makes a brief argument that common sense should prevail over legal battles, citing the Colorado case against a baker who refused to sell to an LGBTQ customer as an example of the legal system reaffirming common sense practices. General readers of American history will find much to enjoy in Waldman’s exploration of the evolution of American religious freedoms. (May)
From the Publisher
Religious freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment, is central to America’s identity. Waldman shows how remarkable that is, and how tenuous.” — New York Times
“Without freedom of conscience the whole history of the nation—and world—might be very different. We are lucky that Waldman has written this compelling study of the most essential breakthrough of modernity: the right to believe, or not, as one wishes. A great book about a monumental issue.” — Jon Meacham, Pulitzer-Prize-winning author of The Soul of America
“A powerful account of American religion since the colonial period...This insightful study is grounds for guarded optimism. It shows that the advance of decency has been steady, heartening—and fragile.” — The Economist
“A comprehensive history of America’s tradition of religious freedom.” — New York Magazine
“This is an important and fascinating book full of riveting stories, provocative insights, inspiring heroes, and some serious warnings. The American model of religious freedom should be the envy of the world. But if we don’t understand how we made this great ‘invention,’ we could easily squander the achievement.” — Reza Aslan, author of Zealot and God: A Human History
“Essential reading…. Waldman tells a fascinating story in a fascinating way. He writes with care, verve, and insight. With an eye to detail and anecdote, he challenges many common prejudices. Sacred Liberty will both comfort and discomfort its diverse audience.” — Christian Century, Paul Marshall
“Waldman seeks to bring some perspective and sanity back to discussions of religious liberty. And, on the whole, he achieves his aim: Reminding liberals that religious liberty really is a good thing and something to cherish, and reminding conservatives that none of the First Amendment rights are absolute.” — National Catholic Reporter
“Waldman offers a sweeping overview of how the United States built a unique model of ‘religious freedom’...Waldman can place current debates about religious liberty into sociopolitical and historical perspective.” — The Humanist
“Bravo. Excellent book. I highly recommend it.” — Matthew Dodd, This Week with George Stehpanopoulos
“Useful . . . an overview of religious liberty and prejudice in American history.” — World magazine
“Waldman outlines countless attacks on people of faith throughout the country’s history and interreligious tension that persists to this day. . . . Despite tough conclusions like this, Waldman isn’t arguing that America’s religious freedom laws are worthless. Instead, [he] helps people see why this is worth fighting for.” — Deseret News
“Reading Steven Waldman’s fine new book… has been good for my soul.” — Christianity Today, Richard Mouw
“This well-researched and fascinating book is a must read for all of us.” — Washington BookReview
“I just pray that more Adventists can read Waldman’s book…” — Spectrum magazine
“Americans take for granted that religious liberty is one of the country’s founding principles. Sacred Liberty provides the vivid, detailed, little-known stories of the people who first defended that principle and have continued to re-shape and revive it in dramatically changing circumstances. Surprising, instructive, very timely, and wise.” — James Fallows, author of Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey Into the Heart of America
“Steven Waldman has given us an extraordinarily readable journey through a thorny landscape: America’s struggle to get religious liberty right. Agree or not with all of his conclusions, you cannot ignore the importance of his thesis that religious freedom must be a level ground for all sincerely held religious beliefs.” — Craig L. Parshall, conservative First Amendment attorney and bestselling author
“Highly accessible. . . . A fascinating look at an important piece of history. . . . superb, engrossing.” — Booklist (starred review)
“This is what we need to know about the history of religious freedom in America. It is often an uncomfortable story, frequently infuriating, sometimes inspiring, consistently challenging. Waldman draws the reader into this epic struggle with a vivid and engaging narrative.” — Ingrid Mattson, Former Head of the Islamic Society of North America
“At a moment of renewed animus against minority faiths, Steven Waldman provides both a stirring defense of religious freedom and a warning against the forces that continue to threaten it. His book is a tour de force, crafted with an historian’s eye and a journalist’s flair.” — Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History of Education, University of Pennsylvania
“Well-researched and eye-opening. This compelling book is a must read for anyone whose life is impacted by the search and the fight for religious freedom. And that’s all of us whether we know it or not; whether we follow a religion or we don’t.” — Sylviane A. Diouf, author of Servants of Allah: African Muslims Enslaved in the Americas
“Waldman’s treatment of the religious intolerance that Catholics endured in the United States is especially interesting. It’s also instructive now that many Catholics are making common cause on this issue alongside the spiritual heirs of the very Protestants who recently saw Catholics as unworthy of equal treatment.” — David Gibson, Director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University
“General readers of American history will find much to enjoy in Waldman’s exploration of the evolution of American religious freedoms.” — Publishers Weekly
“An energetic history surveys America’s commitments to religious liberty from the 17th century to the present. . . . An informative account.” — Kirkus Review
“Sacred Liberty details America’s long and continuing struggle to achieve true religious freedom for all people.” — Beliefnet
“Steven Waldman has made a permanent impact on religious discourse.” — State of Belief Radio
“A remarkable book.” — Amy Sullivan, Impolite Company
“Must read.” — Krista Kafer, Denver Post
“Wooa. It is a powerful read. It knocked me out.” — Jim Barter, KIKO Phoenix
“Fascinating…riveting.” — Sally Quinn, founder, OnFaith
“Offer[s] perspective and insight to an ongoing debate that is too often dominated by passion and emotion.” — Catholic News Service, Timothy Walch
“A master narrative that lets readers fit the distortions and misperceptions of both sides—and yes, both sides have some—into informed perspective.” — Moment magazine
“Argues persuasively that religious freedom coupled with the fervor of new religious movements have sparked great transformations in American society, from abolition to women’s rights to the Civil Rights Movement to gay marriage. The aspirational goal of true and complete religious tolerance has made us a better country.” — Friends Journal
“An excellent overview of the development of religious liberty in the United States . . . well-written . . . well-researched . . . nuanced. . . . Sacred Liberty deserves high marks.” — Law & Liberty
“Waldman focuses on events that are too little known. . . . Balanced . . . well-written and accessible . . . a rich, historical account [that] makes a valuable contribution.” — Journal of Church and State
“Engaging . . . addresses the more crucial events in a thoughtful and balanced manner. . . . The book can generously be placed within the broad category of works by authors such as Jon Meacham, Stephen Ambrose, and Doris Kearns Goodwin.” — Church History
“This informative and fact-filled volume is the most sobering and disquieting book I have read in many years. . . . We can only hope that Waldman’s suggestions are viewed positively by society's leaders and citizens, and that religious freedom can be saved." — Nova Religio Journal
“A look at America that few know fully. It is a story of why religious freedom is so important for us—an essential read for those who wish to understand a broader landscape of diversity and inclusion across America.” — Religion & Education
“A popular history narrated in lively, fast-paced prose . . . riveting.” — Journal of American History
The Humanist
Waldman offers a sweeping overview of how the United States built a unique model of ‘religious freedom’...Waldman can place current debates about religious liberty into sociopolitical and historical perspective.
Jon Meacham
Without freedom of conscience the whole history of the nation—and world—might be very different. We are lucky that Waldman has written this compelling study of the most essential breakthrough of modernity: the right to believe, or not, as one wishes. A great book about a monumental issue.
The Economist
A powerful account of American religion since the colonial period...This insightful study is grounds for guarded optimism. It shows that the advance of decency has been steady, heartening—and fragile.
New York Magazine
A comprehensive history of America’s tradition of religious freedom.
Matthew Dodd
Bravo. Excellent book. I highly recommend it.
Reza Aslan
This is an important and fascinating book full of riveting stories, provocative insights, inspiring heroes, and some serious warnings. The American model of religious freedom should be the envy of the world. But if we don’t understand how we made this great ‘invention,’ we could easily squander the achievement.
National Catholic Reporter
Waldman seeks to bring some perspective and sanity back to discussions of religious liberty. And, on the whole, he achieves his aim: Reminding liberals that religious liberty really is a good thing and something to cherish, and reminding conservatives that none of the First Amendment rights are absolute.
World magazine
Useful . . . an overview of religious liberty and prejudice in American history.
New York Times
Religious freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment, is central to America’s identity. Waldman shows how remarkable that is, and how tenuous.
Catholic News Service
Offer[s] perspective and insight to an ongoing debate that is too often dominated by passion and emotion.
Friends Journal
Argues persuasively that religious freedom coupled with the fervor of new religious movements have sparked great transformations in American society, from abolition to women’s rights to the Civil Rights Movement to gay marriage. The aspirational goal of true and complete religious tolerance has made us a better country.
Washington BookReview
This well-researched and fascinating book is a must read for all of us.
State of Belief Radio
Steven Waldman has made a permanent impact on religious discourse.
Jonathan Zimmerman
At a moment of renewed animus against minority faiths, Steven Waldman provides both a stirring defense of religious freedom and a warning against the forces that continue to threaten it. His book is a tour de force, crafted with an historian’s eye and a journalist’s flair.
Journal of Church and State
Waldman focuses on events that are too little known. . . . Balanced . . . well-written and accessible . . . a rich, historical account [that] makes a valuable contribution.
Jim Barter
Wooa. It is a powerful read. It knocked me out.
Nova Religio Journal
This informative and fact-filled volume is the most sobering and disquieting book I have read in many years. . . . We can only hope that Waldman’s suggestions are viewed positively by society's leaders and citizens, and that religious freedom can be saved."
Amy Sullivan
A remarkable book.
Krista Kafer
Must read.
Journal of American History
A popular history narrated in lively, fast-paced prose . . . riveting.
Ingrid Mattson
This is what we need to know about the history of religious freedom in America. It is often an uncomfortable story, frequently infuriating, sometimes inspiring, consistently challenging. Waldman draws the reader into this epic struggle with a vivid and engaging narrative.
Spectrum magazine
I just pray that more Adventists can read Waldman’s book…
Booklist (starred review)
Highly accessible. . . . A fascinating look at an important piece of history. . . . superb, engrossing.
Religion & Education
A look at America that few know fully. It is a story of why religious freedom is so important for us—an essential read for those who wish to understand a broader landscape of diversity and inclusion across America.
Craig L. Parshall
Steven Waldman has given us an extraordinarily readable journey through a thorny landscape: America’s struggle to get religious liberty right. Agree or not with all of his conclusions, you cannot ignore the importance of his thesis that religious freedom must be a level ground for all sincerely held religious beliefs.
Law & Liberty
An excellent overview of the development of religious liberty in the United States . . . well-written . . . well-researched . . . nuanced. . . . Sacred Liberty deserves high marks.
Deseret News
Waldman outlines countless attacks on people of faith throughout the country’s history and interreligious tension that persists to this day. . . . Despite tough conclusions like this, Waldman isn’t arguing that America’s religious freedom laws are worthless. Instead, [he] helps people see why this is worth fighting for.
Church History
Engaging . . . addresses the more crucial events in a thoughtful and balanced manner. . . . The book can generously be placed within the broad category of works by authors such as Jon Meacham, Stephen Ambrose, and Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Sally Quinn
Fascinating…riveting.
Beliefnet Editors
Sacred Liberty details America’s long and continuing struggle to achieve true religious freedom for all people.
Moment magazine
A master narrative that lets readers fit the distortions and misperceptions of both sides—and yes, both sides have some—into informed perspective.
James Fallows
Americans take for granted that religious liberty is one of the country’s founding principles. Sacred Liberty provides the vivid, detailed, little-known stories of the people who first defended that principle and have continued to re-shape and revive it in dramatically changing circumstances. Surprising, instructive, very timely, and wise.
Sylviane A. Diouf
Well-researched and eye-opening. This compelling book is a must read for anyone whose life is impacted by the search and the fight for religious freedom. And that’s all of us whether we know it or not; whether we follow a religion or we don’t.
David Gibson
Waldman’s treatment of the religious intolerance that Catholics endured in the United States is especially interesting. It’s also instructive now that many Catholics are making common cause on this issue alongside the spiritual heirs of the very Protestants who recently saw Catholics as unworthy of equal treatment.
null Religion & Education
A look at America that few know fully. It is a story of why religious freedom is so important for us—an essential read for those who wish to understand a broader landscape of diversity and inclusion across America.
null Nova Religio Journal
This informative and fact-filled volume is the most sobering and disquieting book I have read in many years. . . . We can only hope that Waldman’s suggestions are viewed positively by society's leaders and citizens, and that religious freedom can be saved."
Sylviane A. Diouf
Well-researched and eye-opening. This compelling book is a must read for anyone whose life is impacted by the search and the fight for religious freedom. And that’s all of us whether we know it or not; whether we follow a religion or we don’t.
Sylviane A.- Diouf
Well-researched and eye-opening. This compelling book is a must read for anyone whose life is impacted by the search and the fight for religious freedom. And that’s all of us whether we know it or not; whether we follow a religion or we don’t.
Christian Century
Essential reading . . . deals with issues at the core of many of our most vital public debates. . . . Waldman shows that despite our conflicted history, we have still come a long way. It also provides hope that we may continue on the road to freedom.
Christianity Today
Reading Steven Waldman’s fine new book, Sacred Liberty, has been good for my soul, in that it helps me keep the issues of religious freedom in proper perspective…The truth is that his book speaks to the evangelical soul in general [and] presents fresh models for addressing complex religious freedom challenges.
Kirkus Reviews
2019-03-17
An energetic pop history surveys America's commitments to religious liberty from the 17th century to the present.
As journalist and Beliefnet co-founder Waldman (Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America, 2008, etc.) shows, whatever you may have learned in elementary school about the Puritans, the Colonies were hardly bastions of religious freedom; in fact, using executions and arrests, English leaders harshly enforced various ecclesial establishments. It wasn't until the American Revolution that the Founding Fathers crafted norms of religious liberty. James Madison is the star of Waldman's account; Thomas Jefferson shows up for his 1801 use of the phrase "wall of separation between Church & State," but the author pays too little attention to his important role in pushing for religious toleration in revolutionary Virginia. The late-18th- and early-19th-century articulations of religious freedom were the true beginning of the story. In the decades that followed, many groups, including Catholics, Latter-day Saints, and Jehovah's Witnesses, prodded the nation to further embody its ideals of religious liberty. As late as 1942, Franklin Roosevelt opined that America was "a Protestant country and the Catholics and Jews are here under sufferance." Indeed, as Waldman's especially helpful discussion of the post-World War II landscape demonstrates, the 1940s brought a new push for interfaith understanding—Amy Vanderbilt's etiquette guide included a chapter on it—as a sort of generic, pluralist faith was marshalled as a counter to communism. The 1940s also saw the Supreme Court taking a more expanded role defining religious freedom; in earlier decades, argues the author, the shape of religious liberty was largely left up to local governments. Turning to the present, Waldman suggests how anti-Islamic sentiment among non-Muslim Americans provides a way of assessing the reach and the limits of America's commitment to religious pluralism.
Armchair historians who can tolerate Waldman's occasional stylistic indulgences—e.g., dramatic single-sentence paragraphs, breathless ellipses, lengthy block quotes—will be rewarded with an informative account.
