5833. So Help Me God The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State, by Forrest Church (read 14 Feb 2024) This 2997 book is an erudite study, filled with discussion of its fascinating subject but not unfailingly clear or agreeable.

5833. So Help Me God The Founding Fathers and the

5833. So Help Me God The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State, by Forrest Church (read 14 Feb 2024) This 2007 book is an erudite study of the fist five U.S. presidents and their views as to the place religion should play in statecraft. Lots of discussion , some of which I agreed with, but low in interest for me at times. ( )

The Debate That Shaped the Nation

Did George Washington really say: "I do solemnly swear... so help me God" during his inauguration? By all accounts, religion was not just one of the talking points of the Founding Fathers, according to Forrest Church, it was the most important one.

Throughout the history of the United States, the debate over faith and the role of religion has dominated the political discourse since the pilgrims arrived on Plymouth Rock. With the importance of the subject matter laid for all to bare, we come to the substance of five US Presidents and Church's interpretation of their faith.

"So Help Me God" is a great biographical account of each President, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. The book is really 5 books rolled into one. Church really leaves no stone unturned as he scours the Presidential archives.

As for the interpretations, Church stays mostly with the traditional historiography which is quite surprising considering he had direct access to the archives. We already know Washington was the strongest supporter for religious liberty. Adams was the most liturgical. Monroe was a secularist whose support for separation of church and state actually helped the nation become more pious.

In other words, there isn't much that is groundbreaking in this book. But still, the narrative is interesting enough. The role of religion appears as contentious back then as it is today. The more things change the more they stay the same. This is a good book for those who want a refreshing take on the contemporary culture wars. ( )

An excellent examination of the nation’s early struggle with the relationship between Church and state. The author perceives the issue of one between order (those who wanted a blurred boundary) and liberty (those who wanted a very distinct and rigid separation). He explores at length both the private faith of the first five presidents and the attitude of their administrations towards the relationship between Church and state. Very detailed, but very readable. ( )

Are we a nation under God, or with liberty and justice for all?