"Heart and Head: American Christianities" by Garry Wills

Garry Wills is a historian who has authored many books. One of these books, “Papal Sin: Structures of Deceit”, was enormously influential in my personal transformation. It crystallized the fact that the Roman Church’s positions are often based on lies, i.e., positions with a false basis, e.g., priests must be male (and celibate) because Jesus instituted the priesthood that way. Jesus not only did not do this, but he did even create a priesthood. He did not even want to create a church. He was intent on reforming Judaism.

“Head and Heart: American Christianities” explores the various forms of Christianity that have surfaced during America’s history.

Of some interest to me were the following:
1) Early New England was extraordinarily intolerant of any deviation from the “truths” held my the Puritans;
2) Satan was perceived as present in those who held oppositional views;
3) Persistent tension existed between rational and emotional approaches to religion.

Of more interest was the author’s clarity on the uniqueness of the timing of our Constitution. Jefferson (and Madison) was the primary drivers of the view that religion should be considered a right of the individual rather than being dependent on the state. The influence of Deism would not have been present if the revolution occurred fifty years before or after the real event. And, if Jefferson was not present, it is unclear whether others would have been strong enough to overcome some opposition. It is extraordinary to think that our Constitution remains unique for many reasons, but not the least of which is the absence of “God” in the document. And history confirms that the “separation” between state and religion has been positive on religions. Freedom of religion has been good for religions.

It has been hard for me to conclude in recent years that religion, per se, is a problem. Religion is inherently divisive, inherently intolerant. The history of Christianities in America captures the consistent rise of one form or another of Christianity that attempts to establish uniformity in behavior, if not beliefs.

But, until Bush, the drive towards uniformity never was sanctioned by the government. Bush, however, endorsed the agenda of the American conservative Evangelicals and incorporated supporters of this agenda within his administration. Kevin Phillips previously documented also the negative consequences of the administration’s absorption of the conservative Evangelical agenda. Garry Wills addresses the same issue in even more detail.

Our nation has a plethora of problems generated by Bush: Iraq, international loss of esteem and moral value, enormous debt. However, the alignment of government with right wing Evangelicals is a very disturbing reality that has to be addressed.