As a Christian homeschooler (using Sonlight curriculum, if you want to know), I was originally put-off by the title of this book. Indeed, the first chapter seemed at times to veer into an anti-Christian rant. However, as the book progressed and I began to see the authors' point of view, I realized that they did have some very valid points. Two that I thought were most valuable were these:

1. If we ask the government to adopt religious slogans, we are asking it to overstep its bounds. If allow the government to make decisions on religious matters, we open the floodgates to all other kinds of infringements on our rights.

2. Christians (and other religious people) should not appeal to the government to fix society's problems. If we see a moral failing in our nation, it does not mean that the government has fallen down on its job: it means that the church has failed in its responsibility.

For these reasons, I do recommend this book to anyone who wonders what the right relationship should be between religion and politics. It does not hold all the answers, but to the thoughtful reader who is willing to consider and discuss the ideas it contains, it is another piece of the puzzle.

The foundation of a secular America is a subject worthy of attention but this was repetitive and offered very little that I hadn't heard or read elsewhere.

I only made it thru about 150 pages of this before I got too bored and couldnt take anymore. I totally agree with the author's premise..I just couldnt read it for enjoyment.

I enjoyed this book and the exploration of the private versus public opinions that Jefferson held towards religion. The author's write in a way that easily unravels the nuanced view Jefferson held towards religion. I was particularly interested in how the Christian right attacked Jefferson then and how the Christian right operates now. The author's did a good job weaving early American history and modern American history in their "case against religious correctness."

I wanted to like this book and its premise, but it came across more as two authors who had an axe to grind with the Christian right voting block. The quality of writing and scholarship was particularly poor in the last chapter, “George W. Bush and the Wall of Separation.” The authors had some very interesting points, but sadly these were very poorly presented.

Every American concerned about the religious right's never ending attack on the constitution by trying to re-write history (I'm looking at you David Barton) needs to read this book. It completely destroys the claims that the founders of the United States had any intention of creating a christian nation, and proves that the first amendment really means what it says as far as separating church and state. I found it fascinating that the constitution was under attack by the church as an "atheist" document before the ink was even dry. Also, it turns out that baptists were initially supporters of the separation of church and state (before they had sufficient numbers to try and push their misguided morals into government).

My only nit to pick is that the book really needed endnotes. The authors state that because the book is intended for a general audience and that the material cited is familiar to historians and political scientists, that they have foregone including footnotes. However, for those of us (in the general audience) who are not historians and political scientists, endnotes would have been very useful in further study. Admittedly, complete endnotes would probably add 100 pages to the book, but they could have easily been provided via a web site.

Wow!! I am so glad to be done with this book. While I certainly learned a lot, stretching my own opinions and the reasons behind them, I often found the authors tended to be full of their own opinion and blind in many areas. They bash Pat Robinson and President George W. Bush like punching bags, but also refer to Hilary Clinton with some pretty rude language that I wouldn't repeat.
Despite my general dislike for the book, I think it makes a challenging read and am greatful I had to read it for school.

The complete lack of citations, footnotes or otherwise, stresses the fact that this book is a poorly researched and often inaccurate book.
While the author's intent may be good, this book fails to deliver on any sort of academic or casual level.
Unfortunately, there is little to recommend.

This book was not good for my health. It gave me stomach cramps.

A well written work that lays out how while the Founding Fathers may have been religious they purposely created a system of government that doesn't endorse any religion because the mixture of religion and government interferes with and cheapens both. An engrossing and engaging read.

A well-written and thoroughly-researched review of the history of the separation of church and state as outlined in the US Constitution.

The arguments here won't change anyone's beliefs, but you'll probably learn something new. Highly recommended.

Dense and repetitive. While important, too hard to digest.