Christian nation?

Thomas Adams Upchurch

This fascinating study examines America's complex and confusing history of arguing with itself over religion and secularism, God and politics, church and state. In 2009, President Barack Obama stated that the United States was most definitely not a "Christian Nation." In 1797, a representative of the John Adams administration proclaimed the same thing in the Treaty of Tripoli. Is there, or has there ever been, a definitive answer to this most basic -- and perennially controversial -- question? Hundreds of books are devoted to the ever-timely subject of the separation of church and state in America, but none does exactly what Christian Nation?: The United States in Popular Perception and Historical Reality does. Unlike other studies, this intriguing examination asks the right questions, defines the terms of the debate, explores the widely diverging points of view with equal respect for...