Blasphemy: How the Religious Right is Hijacking the Declaration of Independence

This book was like candy for the ears (and the brain). I was curious, because I have only a rudamentary understanding of the Declaration itself, to hear the history and background of both the document and the men who wrote it. Upon being presented with this information it became painfully clear that the religious argument claiming the Declaration as proof of religious intent could not be substantiated.

I particularly enjoyed the author's discussion of the perspectives off Jefferson and his contemporaries regarding religion. Such information is incredibly helpful in understanding their intentions when it came to founding a nation. Most Christians should take the time to read this book before thoughtlessly echoing the lines pervaded by those who intentionally misinform for the purposes of pushing a religious agenda.

What I particularly enjoy about this book is that it does NOT go so far as to suggest that America is a non-religious nation. Indeed we ARE a nation of religious people. However, it rightly points out that we are a nation of many religions, and a nation founded on the idea that each of those religions should be free from interference by not only government, but by other religions. The modern Christian power-grab of the Religious Right should not only be an affront to Non-Religious Americans, but also Non-Christian Americans, who stand to lose their rights as well should the government secumb to Christian rule.

Recommended reading for anyone who enjoys reading about the views of the founders, as well as those who are looking for a defense against the misinformation surounding the "Christan Nation" myth. Listen and be informed.

Yes, but only if they are unable to read in print.

Thomas Jefferson: Often touted by the political right as an authority with respect to the evils of Big Government and routinely ignored by the same for his heretical writings and warnings on the commingling of religion and (American) government.

Is Knighton Bliss a person or machine? Without solid evidence of the former it'd be easy, based on his reading of this book, to conclude the latter. Bliss's mechanical text-to-speech reading is often difficult to follow without multiple replays or, even worse, references to the print version. The 'reading' of this title would have been a far more meaningful (and comprehensible) experience if from Mr. Dershowitz's mouth.

Further impetus to maintain a check on the religious-right's unwavering attempt(s) to undermine the wall of separation.

The reader does a very good job. The material deals with pressing public issues and therefore should be read in a neutral tone; this he does. But when he moves to the next subsection of a chapter and reads the title there's no pause, no notice. It comes at me so suddenly I'm mentally playing catchup. This is not the reader's fault. It's the editor's fault.(I've edited and reconstructed a fair amount of audio, so I know.) Just 1.5 SECONDS of dead air before the subsection title would be enough to alert the listener that a new thought was coming along. It all runs together otherwise. Not good.