A history of american secularism was named a notable book of 2004 by the washington post and the new york times. Susan jacoby is the author of eleven previous books, including freethinkers. Freethought encompasses many different schools of thought, including atheism, agnosticism, and nontraditional orientations such as deism and paganism. Rich with such iconic figures as thomas jefferson, abraham lincoln, elizabeth cady stanton, and clarence darrowas well as oncefamous secularists such as robert green ingersoll, the great agnosticfreethinkers restores to history generations of dedicated humanists. Dec 23, 2004 theres no description for this book yet. My time in seminary and a lifetime in the church also left me with what i thought was a pretty good sense of the religious history of the united states. Freethought encompasses many different schools of thought, including atheism, agnosticism, and nontraditional. Freethinkers by susan jacoby, december 23, 2004, holt paperbacks edition, paperback in english 2 reprint edition. Bush, this dramatic study offers a welcome reminder that the founding fathers were intent on keeping church and state firmly separated. It is impossible to overstate the importance of virginias 1786 act for establishing religious freedom, she writes, for, much to the dismay of religious. Susan jacoby is an independent scholar who focuses on american intellectual history. Black freethinkers argues that, contrary to historical and popular depictions of african americans as naturally religious, freethought has been central to black political and intellectual life from the nineteenth century to the present. According to the oxford english dictionary, a freethinker is a person who forms their own ideas and opinions rather than accepting those of other people, especially.
Susan jacoby talked about her book alger hiss and the battle for. A history of african american secularism critical insurgencies. Dec 23, 2004 i consider myself pretty wellread in history. Her muchneeded book is a primer on the antisecularism that characterizes much of american history. The interview covers the expected topics of what exactly a freethinker is both historically and currently hint. Jacoby accomplishes her task with clarity, thoroughness, and an engaging passion. Strange gods chronicles the history of secularism and. An authoritative history of the vital role of secularist thinkers and activists in the united states, from a writer of fierce intelligence and nimble, unfettered imagination the new york timesat a time when the separation of church and state is under attack as never before, freethinkers offers a powerful defense of the secularist heritage that gave americans the first government in the.
As a result, those espousing civil rights, equality for all, or social justice must take great pains to prove they arent hostile to religion. Age of american unreason by susan jacoby nook book ebook. Freethought or free thought is an epistemological viewpoint which holds that positions regarding truth should be formed only on the basis of logic, reason, and empiricism, rather than authority, tradition, revelation, or dogma. Rich with such iconic figures as thomas jefferson, abraham lincoln, thomas paine, and the oncefamous robert green ingersoll, freethinkers restores to history the passionate humanists who struggled against those who would undermine the combination of secular government and religious liberty that is the glory of the american system. Life after god 085 black freethinkers with christopher. Age of american unreason by susan jacoby nook book.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of virginias 1786 act for establishing religious freedom, she writes, for, much to the dismay of religious conservatives, it would become the template for the. Listen to black freethinkers episodes free, on demand. Click download or read online button to freethinkers a history of american secularism book pdf for free now. A history of american secularism book online at best prices in india on. She is the author of eight books including freethinkers. Her articles have appeared frequently in the oped pages of the new york times and in forums that include the american prospect, dissent,and the daily beast. The essential rationalism binding americas founding secularists to one another was memorably expressed by john adams to thomas jefferson in an 18 letter commenting on britains repeal of an old statue that made it a crime to deny the existence of the holy trinity. Freethinkers a history of american secularism 2 reprint edition by susan jacoby. Let us hope that this book points to a more rational future. When scholar, blogger and author susan jacoby traveled the country to lecture on the history of american secularism, the subject of her 2004 book, freethinkers, she made an. The evolution of revenge 1984 was a finalist for the pulitzer prize. Jacoby offers an unsparing indictment of the american addiction to infotainmentfrom television to the weband cites this toxic dependency as the major element distinguishing our current age of unreason from earlier outbreaks of american antiintellectualism and antirationalism. Secularism united states history, freethinkers united states history publisher metropolitanowl collection.
Ranging from the freethinking revolution to the pious administration of george w. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or. Apr 21, 2004 the folks over at have a very good and interesting interview with the author of freethinkers. Mar 04, 2008 when scholar, blogger and author susan jacoby traveled the country to lecture on the history of american secularism, the subject of her 2004 book, freethinkers, she made an important discovery. Freethinkers december 23, 2004 edition open library. For those who believe in nothing, the book is a virtual bible. The most complete exposition of jacobys work is now available in freethinkers. Jan 07, 2005 an authoritative history of the vital role of secularist thinkers and activists in the united states, from a writer of fierce intelligence and nimble, unfettered imagination the new york timesat a time when the separation of church and state is under attack as never before, freethinkers offers a powerful defense of the secularist heritage that gave americans the first government in the. Feb 21, 2015 in freethinkers, jacoby underpaints her historical portrait of american secularism with a sketch of our constitutional roots.
Owl books 2004 susan jacobys freethinkers is subtitled a history of american secularism. A history of american secularism in your phone, it can give you a way to get more close to the new knowledge or information. The folks over at have a very good and interesting interview with the author of freethinkers. At a time when the separation of church and state is under attack as never before, freethinkers offers a powerful defense of the secularist heritage that gave americans the first government in the world founded not on the authority of religion but on the bedrock of human reason. This book provides an important narrative of the impact of freethinkers in the creation of the first secular government in the world. Metropolitan books, 2004, jacoby underpaints her historical portrait of american secularism with a sketch of our constitutional roots.
A history of american secularism from the publisher to make you more enjoy free time. Men, women, and rapethis book reclaims a key facet of american culture, secularism, or freethinking, the belief that public good is based on human reason and human rights rather than divine authority, a concept codified in the. His book the origins of american religious nationalism came out. A history of american secularism and read freethinkers. A history of american secularism by susan jacoby online at alibris. A history of american secularism and discovered how little i really knew. Yet, as susan jacobys freethinkers shows, hostility toward religion is a vital part of the american heritage. Strange gods chronicles the history of secularism and conversion journalist susan jacoby tells fresh air that more than half of americans will change religion at least once in their adult life time. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. It is they, jacoby shows, who have led the struggle to uphold the. A history of american secularism by susan jacoby freethinkers is a fascinating historical account of the role of freethinkers in united states. A history of american secularism, susan jacoby uses the term freethought to denote a broad range of rationalist beliefs, including dogmatic atheism, moderate humanism.
Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Freethinkers by susan jacoby overdrive rakuten overdrive. The age of american unreason susan jacoby download. A secular history of conversion her articles have appeared frequently in the oped pages of the new york times and in forums that include the american prospect, dissent,and the daily beast. Susan jacoby talked about her book alger hiss and the battle for history yale university press. Download pdf freethinkers a history of american secularism. Her muchneeded book is a primer on the anti secularism that characterizes much of american history. Pdf freethinkers a history of american secularism by susan. Check out other translated books in french, spanish languages. Then i picked up a copy of susan jacobys bestselling book freethinkers. Read freethinkers a history of american secularism by susan jacoby available from rakuten kobo. In freethinkers, jacoby underpaints her historical portrait of american secularism with a sketch of our constitutional roots.