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the_grimm_reader 's review for:
The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American
by Andrew L. Seidel
Andrew Seidel was one of several experts featured in a documentary I recently watched about the rise of Christian Nationalism. Each time the film cut back to him, I found myself particularly engaged by what he had to say. His approach was clear, fact-based, and well-documented—offering historical evidence that directly contradicts the long-held claim that the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. This claim is one I’ve heard my whole life, but Seidel systematically dismantles it, demonstrating how Christian Nationalism is actually antithetical to the foundational ideals of autonomy, liberty, diversity, and unity that shaped this nation.
This is not a light read, nor does Seidel present his argument through mere opinion or emotional appeal. Instead, he builds his case meticulously, relying on historical records, legal documents, letters, speeches, and firsthand accounts. His central argument? That the architects of American democracy understood that for religious freedom to truly exist, there must also be freedom from religion. They sought to establish a firm separation between church and state, and allowing that separation to erode poses a direct threat to the stability of our democratic republic.
One of the most frustrating—and deeply unsettling—aspects of this book is that Seidel’s arguments are backed by undeniable evidence, yet Christian Nationalism continues to spread, seeping into every branch of government. It does so while loudly proclaiming, often incorrectly, that the United States was founded on Christian principles and morals. In fact, as Seidel illustrates, many of the so-called Judeo-Christian values touted by nationalists stand in stark contrast to the Enlightenment-era ideals that shaped American democracy. The nation’s founders sought to move away from monarchy and theocratic rule—systems that, ironically, birthed many of the religious traditions now being used to justify an authoritarian vision of governance.
Should you read this book? Given the rise of Christian Nationalism and the dangerous momentum of the MAGA movement—an ideology that increasingly exhibits cult-like behavior—this book offers valuable insight. If you want a historically accurate and well-researched account of how American democracy was designed to function, then yes, this is an essential read.
That said, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone will interpret this information the same way. Some may argue that America’s founding was shaped by religious influences in ways that Seidel downplays, or that morality and governance are inevitably intertwined. However, even those perspectives do not negate the critical point this book makes: a government that enforces religious dogma threatens both religious freedom and democracy itself.
Christian Nationalists are working diligently to rewrite history, replacing fact with a revisionist narrative that suits their agenda. This book serves as both a warning and a tool for understanding what’s at stake—because history, when erased or rewritten, has a way of repeating itself.
This is not a light read, nor does Seidel present his argument through mere opinion or emotional appeal. Instead, he builds his case meticulously, relying on historical records, legal documents, letters, speeches, and firsthand accounts. His central argument? That the architects of American democracy understood that for religious freedom to truly exist, there must also be freedom from religion. They sought to establish a firm separation between church and state, and allowing that separation to erode poses a direct threat to the stability of our democratic republic.
One of the most frustrating—and deeply unsettling—aspects of this book is that Seidel’s arguments are backed by undeniable evidence, yet Christian Nationalism continues to spread, seeping into every branch of government. It does so while loudly proclaiming, often incorrectly, that the United States was founded on Christian principles and morals. In fact, as Seidel illustrates, many of the so-called Judeo-Christian values touted by nationalists stand in stark contrast to the Enlightenment-era ideals that shaped American democracy. The nation’s founders sought to move away from monarchy and theocratic rule—systems that, ironically, birthed many of the religious traditions now being used to justify an authoritarian vision of governance.
Should you read this book? Given the rise of Christian Nationalism and the dangerous momentum of the MAGA movement—an ideology that increasingly exhibits cult-like behavior—this book offers valuable insight. If you want a historically accurate and well-researched account of how American democracy was designed to function, then yes, this is an essential read.
That said, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone will interpret this information the same way. Some may argue that America’s founding was shaped by religious influences in ways that Seidel downplays, or that morality and governance are inevitably intertwined. However, even those perspectives do not negate the critical point this book makes: a government that enforces religious dogma threatens both religious freedom and democracy itself.
Christian Nationalists are working diligently to rewrite history, replacing fact with a revisionist narrative that suits their agenda. This book serves as both a warning and a tool for understanding what’s at stake—because history, when erased or rewritten, has a way of repeating itself.