Imprimis Podcast Summary

Title: Imprimis
Host/Author: Hillsdale College
Episode: Religious Liberty and the Genius of the American Founding
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Speaker: Glenn Elmers, author of The Soul of Harry v. Jaffa and The Fight for America
Event: Conference on Christianity in America, Hillsdale College, December 29, 2024

Introduction

In the January 30, 2025 episode of Imprimis, Hillsdale College presents a profound exploration of religious liberty and its foundational role in the American nation. Glenn Elmers, a distinguished historian and author, delves into the historical underpinnings of religious freedom, tracing its evolution from ancient civilizations through the tumultuous periods of the medieval era, and culminating in the revolutionary principles that defined the American Founding. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from Elmers' talk, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

The Essence of Religious Liberty in the American Founding

Elmers begins by highlighting one of the most eloquent expressions of religious liberty from the American founding era: George Washington's 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island. He emphasizes Washington's articulation of a policy of "enlarged and liberal policy, a policy worthy of imitation" (00:45), underscoring the inclusive vision that granted "liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship" to all faiths.

Washington's eloquent plea for mutual respect and safety for all religious communities reflects the foundational principle of religious liberty. Elmers underscores that this principle is not merely a historical artifact but a living legacy that continues to face threats today, such as rising antisemitism on college campuses and governmental persecution of Christians (02:30).

Historical Context: From Ancient Religions to Monotheism

To understand the significance of religious liberty, Elmers transports listeners to the ancient pre-Christian world, where religion was inherently political. Drawing from the Book of Exodus, he illustrates how ancient religions demanded exclusive worship and were intertwined with political authority:

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me... For I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God" (04:15).

He explains that unlike monotheistic Judaism, most ancient civilizations were polytheistic, with each nation worshipping its own pantheon. This exclusivity meant that religious and civic obligations were inseparable, leading to societies where defeating an enemy also meant defeating their gods.

The Advent of Monotheism and Its Political Implications

Elmers discusses how Judaism's monotheism set the stage for Christianity, the first universal religion. However, this brought new challenges as Christianity began to assert beliefs that transcended national and tribal identities. He cites the confrontation between King Henry II and St. Thomas Becket in the 12th century as a pivotal moment:

"When Henry II rejected any distinction between political and religious authority... he was relying on the old tradition" (10:05).

This conflict highlighted the need to separate church and state, a precursor to the religious liberty cherished by the American Founders.

The Collapse of the Western Roman Empire and Emerging Dilemmas

With the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Europe faced unprecedented challenges:

1. Multiplicity of Regimes with One God:
   Religious and civil authorities were split across numerous principalities, creating dual allegiances for citizens (12:20).

2. Source of Political Authority:
   The rise of the divine right of kings attempted to bridge the gap between divine and civil authority but led to hereditary monarchies fraught with succession crises (14:10).

3. Contentious Doctrine:
   Christianity's emphasis on personal belief over communal worship introduced disputes over heresy and doctrine, fueling conflicts like the Reformation (15:00).

Elmers explains that these dilemmas were unique to Christianity's non-political stance, necessitating a new approach to governance and religious coexistence.

The American Founders' Revolutionary Solution

Faced with these historical challenges, the American Founders sought to create a system that preserved religious liberty while establishing a stable political order. Elmers details how they achieved this through the following:

1. Declaration of the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God:
   By combining human reason with divine revelation, the Founders established an objective moral order, asserting that laws derived from nature and a benevolent God provided a nonsectarian foundation for governance (18:25).

   "The founders were asserting that there was an objective moral order in the world because the world was created by a benevolent and reasonable God" (18:45).

2. Separation of Church and State:
   Drawing inspiration from Jefferson's Virginia Bill for Religious Freedom, the Founders delineated clear boundaries between political and religious spheres, allowing each to operate independently without encroaching on the other (20:10).

3. Institutionalizing Religious Liberty:
   By prohibiting religious tests for public office and keeping government out of theological disputes, the Founders ensured that individuals could practice their faith without fear of persecution (22:30).

Elmers praises the Founders' invocation of natural law as a masterstroke of statesmanship, providing lasting legitimacy and sacred authority to American laws without tethering them to specific religious doctrines.

Contemporary Challenges to Religious Liberty

Elmers warns that the foundational principles of religious liberty are under siege in modern America. He points to:

• Rise of Secularism and Atheism:
  An aggressively secular ruling class threatens to undermine the religious freedoms established by the Founders, mocking and marginalizing Christian and Jewish faiths (24:15).

• Attempts to Redefine Moral Standards:
  Modern philosophies that seek to dismantle objective moral standards, such as enabling gender reassignment surgeries for children, challenge the immutable natural law principles that underpin societal harmony and personal happiness (16:01).

Elmers urges American patriots to remember and uphold the sacred legacy of religious liberty, questioning whether contemporary society possesses the "knowledge and courage to keep alive the sacred fire of liberty" (25:50).

Conclusion

Glenn Elmers' comprehensive analysis in this Imprimis episode serves as both a historical examination and a clarion call to defend the religious liberties enshrined by the American Founding Fathers. By tracing the evolution of religious freedom from ancient political religions to the Enlightenment principles that shaped the United States, Elmers underscores the enduring importance of these freedoms in maintaining a just and prosperous society.

As Elmers poignantly asks, "Do we still have the knowledge and courage to keep alive the sacred fire of liberty?" (25:00), he challenges listeners to reflect on their role in preserving the invaluable legacy of religious liberty for future generations.

Notable Quotes:

• "All possess a like liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship." – George Washington (00:45)
• "The government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance..." – Glenn Elmers (01:20)
• "Good citizens obey the law which was seen to be issued ultimately by God." – Glenn Elmers (09:05)
• "Why does that lead to our enslavement or disappearance or abolition?" – Michael Ward (16:01)

This detailed summary provides an insightful overview of the Imprimis episode on religious liberty and the American Founding, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the critical themes and arguments presented by Glenn Elmers.