These Liberties We Hold Sacred: Essays on Faith and Citizenship in the 21st Century

by Carl Anderson

Overview

Early in this nation’s history, America was populated by many different faith-based communities, each in search of a place to practice its religion. Initially, there was conflict, but by the time our Founding Fathers were ready to establish an independent nation, the idea of religious tolerance had become deeply ingrained in this brave new country’s design. So much so that when the United States Constitution was ratified, it contained a document known as The Bill of Rights—ten amendments detailing the rights of this country’s citizens. And the very First Amendment states,“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . .” Here lies the foundation of the principle for the separation of state and religion.

Over the past few decades, however, the power of the state has usurped a growing number of rights clearly ascribed to those who wish to practice their faith. This has certainly not gone unnoticed by many religious organizations. As the supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, Carl Anderson has taken an active role in highlighting—and protecting against–this ever-growing governmental infringement over fundamental religious freedom. Here in his latest book, These Liberties We Hold Sacred, New York Times best-selling author Carl Anderson has gathered together many of his most thought-provoking speeches, articles, and essays that lay bare the facts of this unjustified restriction of religious beliefs. The power of his words makes it clear that if nothing is done now, there will continue to be more erosion of these special freedoms set forth by our Founding Fathers.

Carl Anderson has a gift for writing eloquently, understandably, and directly. His book These Liberties We Hold Sacred is a call to action to first understand what is happening to our religious and personal freedoms and then do all we can to hold on to these precious rights before more of them slip away.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780757005046
Publisher:	Square One Publishers
Publication date:	01/27/2021
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	101,245
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Carl Anderson is the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and Vice-President of the American Section of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, where he is a Professor of Family Law. He is the author of the best-selling book A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World, as well as numerous other published works.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction 1

Section 1 Domestic Religious Freedom, Conscience, and Secularism

1 America and Religious Freedom 17

2 The Importance of Christian Witness in America Today 33

3 The Next Great Awakening 41

Section 2 International Religious Freedom

4 The Global Crisis of Religious Freedom and Dignitatis Humanae 55

5 Atrocities in Iraq and Syria 68

6 Christians of the Middle East Are a Precious Patrimony of Humanity 73

7 The U.S. Government's Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response Initiative in Iraq 79

8 To Build a Civilization of Love in the Middle East 84

9 The Christian Witness of Mercy and Forgiveness Is the True Path to Peace in the Middle East 97

Published Articles and Editorials 104

10 The Next Big Threat to Iraq's Christians 105

11 ISIS Crimes Against Christians Amount to Genocide 108

12 A Year Ago We Declared ISIS Genocidal. Why Are Its Victims Still Waiting for Aid? 111

13 A Mass Christian Exodus from the Middle East Would Be a Catastrophe 115

Section 3 Respect for Life

14 An Unparalleled Cause 123

15 Compassion and Post-Abortion Response 131

16 The HHS Mandate, Conscience and the Law 141

17 "Adam, Where Are You?" Bioethics and the Unique Dignity of a Human Person 156

18 The Meaning of the Suffering of John Paul II for the Church and the World 165

Section 4 Transcending Partisanship

19 MLK's Example Holds the Answers to Both Racism and Political Violence 180

20 What Every Catholic Can Do to Transcend Partisanship 184

21 The "Catholic Vote" Should Matter After the Election Too 195

22 The Pope of Mercy 199

Section 5 Love in Society

23 Which Society? The Love that Generates the Common Good 214

24 The Family Beyond Ideology 232

25 Divorce and the Future of Children 244

26 The Testimony and Presence of Grandparents in the Family 263

Conclusion 273

Endnotes 275

Credits 291

About the Author 293

Editorial Reviews

"Informative, diagnostic, insightful, and form[s] a grateful cushion of hope for the future. Carl Anderson continues to inspire with his speaking, his actions, and his writing. This is a welcome treatise on what can be our future."

top book review Grady Harp