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The Faiths of the Founding Fathers
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The Faiths of the Founding Fathers Hardback - 2006

by David L. Holmes

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In this compact book, the author offers a clear, concise and illuminating look at the spiritual beliefs of the founding fathers. Although the founding fathers were religious men, Holmes shows that it was a faith quite unlike the Christianity of today's evangelicals.

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From the publisher

It is not uncommon to hear Christians argue that America was founded as a Christian nation. But how true is this claim?
In this compact book, David L. Holmes offers a clear, concise and illuminating look at the spiritual beliefs of our founding fathers. He begins with an informative account of the religious culture of the late colonial era, surveying the religious groups in each colony. In particular, he sheds light on the various forms of Deism that flourished in America, highlighting the profound influence this intellectual movement had on the founding generation. Holmes then examines the individual beliefs of a variety of men and women who loom large in our national history. He finds that some, like Martha Washington, Samuel Adams, John Jay, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson's daughters, held orthodox Christian views. But many of the most influential figures, including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Jefferson, James and Dolley Madison, and James Monroe, were believers of a different stripe. Respectful of Christianity, they admired the ethics of Jesus, and believed that religion could play a beneficial role in society. But they tended to deny the divinity of Christ, and a few seem to have been agnostic about the very existence of God. Although the founding fathers were religious men, Holmes shows that it was a faith quite unlike the Christianity of today's evangelicals. Holmes concludes by examining the role of religion in the lives of the presidents since World War II and by reflecting on the evangelical resurgence that helped fuel the reelection of George W. Bush.
An intriguing look at a neglected aspect of our history, the book will appeal to American history buffs as well as to anyone concerned about the role of religion in American culture.

Details

  • Title The Faiths of the Founding Fathers
  • Author David L. Holmes
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 240
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Oxford University Press, New York
  • Publication date 2006-05-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780195300925 / 0195300920
  • Weight 0.83 lbs (0.38 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.48 x 6.04 x 0.85 in (21.54 x 15.34 x 2.16 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 18th Century
  • Category History - U.S.
  • Library of Congress subjects United States - Religion - To 1800, Deism - United States - History - 18th
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2005033077
  • Dewey Decimal Code 200.973

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Citations

  • Booklist, 04/01/2006, Page 7
  • Choice, 11/01/2006, Page 497
  • Library Journal, 04/01/2006, Page 99
  • New York Review of Books, 06/08/2006, Page 60
  • New York Times, 05/07/2006, Page 26

About the author

David L. Holmes is Walter G. Mason Professor of Religious Studies at the College of William and Mary. He is the author of A Brief History of the Episcopal Church, A Nation Mourns, other books, and numerous articles.

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New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2006. Hardcover. As New/As New. As new unmarked unblemished hardcover in dust jacket. Many vintage photos throughout. Contents: Religion in the American Colonies in 1770 - The Anglican Tradition and the Virginia Founding Fathers - The Enlightenment Religion of Deism - The Founding Fathers and Deism - The Religious Views of Benjamin Franklin - The Religious of George Washington - Of John Adams, etc ... 14 chapters
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