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The American Bible

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Religion professor Stephen Prothero’s “The American Bible” looks at the books, speeches and songs that carry the American spirit.

The American Bible (Harper Collins)
The American Bible (Harper Collins)

Guests

Stephen Prothero, a professor in the Department of Religion at Boston University and the author of numerous books, including The American Bible: How Our Words Unite, Divide, and Define a Nation.

From Tom's Reading List

CNN "In July 1846, while living in his Walden Pond cabin, Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau was arrested and jailed for refusing to pay a poll tax. This classic essay explains and justifies his refusal, arguing that each citizen has a duty to resist a government whose actions — in this case, supporting slavery, mistreating Indians and prosecuting the Mexican-American War — offend the higher law of conscience."

Excerpt: The American Bible

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This program aired on May 30, 2012.

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