The Michael Shermer Show

73. Andrew Seidel — Busting the Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American


Listen Later

In this important new book, The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American, constitutional attorney and scholar at the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), Andrew L. Seidel, begins by explaining what apparently religious language is doing in the Declaration of Independence. Does this prove that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles? Are the Ten Commandments the basis for American law? What, exactly, was the role of religion in America's founding? Christian nationalists assert that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and advocate an agenda based on this popular historical claim. But is this belief true? The Founding Myth answers the question once and for all. Seidel builds his case point by point, comparing the Ten Commandments to the Constitution and contrasting biblical doctrine with America's founding philosophy, showing that the Bible contradicts the Declaration of Independence's central tenets. Thoroughly researched, this persuasively argued and fascinating book proves that America was not built on the Bible and that Christian nationalism is, in fact, un-American.

Seidel and Shermer also discuss:

  • the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade and he explains how this could happen in the next 3–5 years
  • new laws being passed in many southern states enacting the teaching of Christianity and the bible in public schools
  • the thousands of letters that the FFRF receives every year from both secularists and members of minority religions who feel and believe that their rights are being threatened and even violated by Christian nationalists
  • the "religious exemption" for vaccinations and why it's nonsense
  • why Christianity was not responsible for the abolition of slavery
  • how the South justified slavery in the Civil War
  • how Christian nationalists cherry pick biblical passages to fit current secular moral trends
  • the historical treatment of women in Christianity
  • the historical treatment of homosexuals in Christianity, and
  • why moral progress must come from the bottom up from cultural change as well as top down from changing laws.

Listen to Science Salon via iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and Soundcloud.

You play a vital part in our commitment to promote science and reason. If you enjoy the Science Salon Podcast, please show your support by making a donation, or by becoming a patron.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Michael Shermer ShowBy Michael Shermer

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

884 ratings


More shows like The Michael Shermer Show

View all
Making Sense with Sam Harris by Sam Harris

Making Sense with Sam Harris

26,327 Listeners

The Glenn Show by Glenn Loury

The Glenn Show

2,272 Listeners

Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps by Josh Szeps

Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

843 Listeners

Closer To Truth by Closer To Truth

Closer To Truth

246 Listeners

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating by Big Bang Productions Inc.

Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

1,061 Listeners

The Good Fight by Yascha Mounk

The Good Fight

908 Listeners

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas by Sean Carroll | Wondery

Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

4,181 Listeners

Quillette Podcast by Quillette

Quillette Podcast

799 Listeners

Within Reason by Alex J O'Connor

Within Reason

1,640 Listeners

The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss by Lawrence M. Krauss

The Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss

504 Listeners

Conversations With Coleman by The Free Press

Conversations With Coleman

572 Listeners

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal by Theories of Everything

Theories of Everything with Curt Jaimungal

29 Listeners

Why This Universe? by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

Why This Universe?

392 Listeners

The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan by Andrew Sullivan

The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan

825 Listeners

Honestly with Bari Weiss by The Free Press

Honestly with Bari Weiss

8,697 Listeners