Free to Believe, by Luke Goodrich

Questions of religious freedom show up in the news from time to time.  Depending on the sources you read, you can be forgiven for believing that religious freedom for Christians in America is under assault.  Luke Goodrich, a lawyer for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, has been at the forefront of many high-profile religious liberty cases, including some he has argued--and won--at the U.S. Supreme Court.  He is perfectly suited for bringing an informative and realistic assessment of the state of religious liberty in America in Free to Believe: The Battle Over Religious Liberty in America.

I appreciate Goodrich's level-headed, practical approach to the subject.  Too often, coverage of the religious liberty culture wars is strong on emotional appeal, weak on constitutional treatment.  The emphasis is riling people up, whether for fund raising or simply to stir up emotions.  Goodrich clarifies that sometimes the issues are more nuanced than they appear, and reassures readers that religious liberty in American may not be as fragile as the popular conservative Christian press implies.

To Goodrich, "religious freedom means the government, within reasonable limits, leaves religion alone as much as possible."  He writes that religious freedom "is worth protecting because it benefits society, protects our other rights, and is a fundamental human right."  Christians today readily acknowledge the history and importance of religious freedom in America, but most have a harder time coming to grips with the fact that "for the first time in American history, common Christian beliefs are view as incompatible with the prevailing culture."

As Goodrich looks at hot-button issues like abortion, gay rights, and Muslim influence, he promotes the model of the conscientious objector.  Just as certain religious groups have won the right not to enlist in the military due to their religious objections, so should conscientious objectors have the right not to act in other ways that violate their religious principles.  So Christians (and other objectors) should not be required to participate in medical procedures like abortion.  They should have the option not to provide services for same-sex weddings.  But many cases Goodrich discusses involve the Christians for who conscientious objection was not an option.

Goodrich brings a solid evangelical perspective, informed, first-hand experience with the cases, and a broad view of our diverse society.  He reminds Christians to take a deep breath and recognize the expansive freedom we enjoy in the U.S.  He reminds Christians that religious freedom for other faith groups can open the door to evangelism.  He reminds Christians that sometimes "we are called not to 'win' but to be like Christ.  That means we expect suffering, respond with joy, fear God, strive for peace, keep doing good, love our enemies, and care for one another in suffering."  He sets exactly the right tone and makes me glad he's out there, defending religious freedom for all of us.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!