In this original and illuminating book; Denise A. Spellberg reveals a little-known but crucial dimension of the story of American religious freedom—a drama in which Islam played a surprising role. In 1765; eleven years before composing the Declaration of Independence; Thomas Jefferson bought a Qur’an. This marked only the beginning of his lifelong interest in Islam; and he would go on to acquire numerous books on Middle Eastern languages; history; and travel; taking extensive notes on Islam as it relates to English common law. Jefferson sought to understand Islam notwithstanding his personal disdain for the faith; a sentiment prevalent among his Protestant contemporaries in England and America. But unlike most of them; by 1776 Jefferson could imagine Muslims as future citizens of his new country. Based on groundbreaking research; Spellberg compellingly recounts how a handful of the Founders; Jefferson foremost among them; drew upon Enlightenment ideas about the toleration of Muslims (then deemed the ultimate outsiders in Western society) to fashion out of what had been a purely speculative debate a practical foundation for governance in America. In this way; Muslims; who were not even known to exist in the colonies; became the imaginary outer limit for an unprecedented; uniquely American religious pluralism that would also encompass the actual despised minorities of Jews and Catholics. The rancorous public dispute concerning the inclusion of Muslims; for which principle Jefferson’s political foes would vilify him to the end of his life; thus became decisive in the Founders’ ultimate judgment not to establish a Protestant nation; as they might well have done. As popular suspicions about Islam persist and the numbers of American Muslim citizenry grow into the millions; Spellberg’s revelatory understanding of this radical notion of the Founders is more urgent than ever. Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an is a timely look at the ideals that existed at our country’s creation; and their fundamental implications for our present and future.
#262675 in Books 2010-11-02 2010-11-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.92 x .70 x 5.20l; .53 #File Name: 0307277623240 pages
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Thoughtful book for thinking believers.By Imogen13Mary Gordon's faith is not the kind that is an armor of certainty; security; and clarity; but the kind that embraces doubt; the kind that allows itself to be troubled; to ask questions; to argue.A lapsed (it seems) Catholic; Gordon; novelist and lover of words; decided one day to read and reread the four Gospels; in different translations. This book is the fruit of that reading; each chapter is a reflection on passages that either move or trouble her the most.In the first part; Gordon reflects on the passages from the Gospel that are closest to her heart. Here; Gordon is at her best; incisive; keen; thoroughly spiritual. She reveals the human Christ she knows and has rediscovered in this exercise. I was edified and at times moved almost to tears with her reflections.The second part is more intellectual. Gordon confronts those passages she finds most jarring and upsetting: the ones which paint a Jesus (not to mention; a Church) who seems less easy to follow; and maybe even less easy to love.Gordon closes the book with a reflection on what for Catholics; is the most profound mystery of all: the Passion; Death; and Resurrection of Christ.This book is an act of honesty and generosity. I imagine the book will be fruitful for all Christians who understand what it means to struggle with their faith.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. More than flowing robes and a beardBy CustomerTo me; it is 5 star as a useful sharing of Gordon's personal insights to stimulate thinking about who Jesus really is rather than seeing only the traditional Jesus.3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Review of Mary Gordon's Reading Jesus: A Writer's Encounter with the Gospels (and other comments)By Robert J. Anderson; Holman 346I have read through just about all of Mary Gordon's work and I must say that I am a Fan (with a capital F). I found a hard copy of The Rest of Life; her volume of three novellas among a bunch of books that I had left in my former office; and I just sat down and read the first one; the second one; and the third one. So; I decided to read her works in more or less chronological order; beginning with Final Payments; which of course led me to The Company of Women and The Other Side (and everything else up to The Love of my Youth which I finished in tears). She is a soul mate and a writer's writer (though she does not know she is a soul mate). Since reading Reading Jesus I read Pearl (which I had somehow missed and realized it is related to a story called "Temporary Shelter" in a volume of short stories with the same name).So what about Reading Jesus? I come to it as a Methodist who thinks it is unlikely that God really exists; but who believes that Jesus is absolutely essential and who defines for me who I am (however imperfectly; however ambiguously). Prof. Gordon understands that conundrum better than anyone I have read. She understands that Jesus is the essence of our 'faith' even as our faith is past the edge. She expresses what it means to say "Blessed are the poor in spirit" better than anyone I have read.Is it a perfect volume? Of course not. No one (not even John Wesley) knows what perfection is; nor would they recognize it if they saw it. But Reading Jesus: A Writer's Encounter with the Gospels is a must read for anyone who has thought of 'following Jesus;' or who has wondered why anyone would even give it a thought. You are much the poorer if you do not read it.
