February Non-Fiction Book: American Gospel

Hi everyone!

At a time when the nation is deeply divided on the question of religion and its place in public life, let's read Jon Meacham's book on the founding fathers and America's quest to prove that the idea of religious tolerance, along with the separation of church and state, is "perhaps the most brilliant American success."

I bet we'll have a lively discussion as Meacham

* claims the religious right's attempt to reshape the Constitution and Declaration of Independence into advocating a state religion of Christianity is at odds with the spirit of religious freedom

while he also

* advocates the presence of a public religion, as exemplified by the national motto, "In God We Trust," and other religious statements that can be found on currency, in governmental papers and in politicians' speeches

For February, our book will be:

American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation
by Jon Meacham

American Gospel

We'll be meeting at the Lincoln-Belmont branch of the Chicago Public Library in West Lakeview. The library is down the street from the Paulina brown line stop and accessible from the Belmont, Ashland, and Lincoln buses. The library has a parking lot and street parking in the neighborhood is widely available.

* Note that the library is just down the street from the Caribou Cafe where we've had meetings in the past.

Chicago Public Library: Lincoln-Belmont Branch

Chicago Public Library: Lincoln-Belmont Branch (MAP)

Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns. Hope to see lots of you there!

-MikeE