Faith and Freedom: Reclaiming America's Christian Roots | 4.20.25
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What is the focus of faith in public life in the U.S. today?
The prominence of faith in public life in the U.S., particularly the Christian faith, is coming under renewed focus. This comes as the new administration makes moves to roll back what conservatives say has been an attack on Christianity and an abuse of the notion of the separation of church and state.
Who is Kevin Roberts and why is he featured today?
In this Easter Sunday episode, we talk with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts about the role of the church and faith in public life and why he believes it's time to re-embrace the nation's Christian values. I'm Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Sunday, April 20th, and this is an Easter edition of Morning Wire. Joining us to discuss the role faith and particularly Christianity plays in public life here in the U.S. is Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation. First of all, thank you so much for joining us.
Yeah, my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Why does Kevin Roberts believe America must reclaim its Christian roots?
So it's Easter weekend. You recently published an op-ed arguing that the U.S. is a Christian nation at its core and that we should embrace this fact. I want to talk to you about that premise. First, how important is it that our founding was based on Christian values?
Well, 100%. We wouldn't have the United States without Christianity, which is not to say that we ought to be dismissive toward the wonderful and unique religious pluralism we have in the United States, to put a fine point on that. Obviously, people of other faiths, particularly those who are Jewish, were also vital to the American founding and they're vital to the United States today. But the worldview that created the ideology, the philosophy, which undergirded the founding of the United States was explicitly Christian. And I think revitalizing that in the 21st century is essential as we revitalize most of the institutions in the United States.
What are the core Christian values foundational to America?
And what are some of those values that you believe are core that maybe have deteriorated or need to be revitalized?
The one which is profoundly the case and has been for the last two generations is a proper understanding of freedom. From the understanding of freedom that most Americans understood at our founding, they would say that freedom is the right to do what we ought. which confers a moral obligation to community, a moral obligation to other.
How does Kevin Roberts define freedom in the American context?
In other words, not to be overly academic in this explanation, what it leads to is a civil society that is healthy, a civil society that has institutions like schools and professional associations, eventually media, obviously, all of which mitigate the differences that Americans have. What has happened, however, over the last two generations is a redefinition of freedom, which is unhealthy, which is the freedom to do whatever the heck we want. eliminating that and coming to refocus on freedom as what we ought to do gets us to aspire to something greater as Americans. And for some Americans who may not be overtly religious, that's simply the American dream, which is excellent. But for others of us who are explicitly religious and acknowledge and respect the religious pluralism in our country, it really does create a healthier country because ultimately what you're doing is minimizing the role of government, particularly in government doing things that we as individuals, as families, as communities should be doing instead.
Speaking of that, how does that not turn into laws that restrict people? So for example, maybe sexual, moral issues. Practically, how do you help encourage a more Judeo-Christian view on this in terms of responsibilities without becoming legalistic?
with a zealous, ironclad commitment to religious liberty as exemplified in the law. And let's just be really blunt here. The ideology that has run roughshod over religious liberty is the radical left. We don't have an example in modern American history of those of us on the political right attacking the religious liberty of anyone. In fact, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court have been just as zealous in protecting that of non-Christians as they are of Christians. So I have 100% confidence that that will continue to be the case for those of us who are politically conservative.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the focus of faith in public life in the U.S. today?
0:03–0:19
2
Who is Kevin Roberts and why is he featured today?
0:19–0:53
3
Why does Kevin Roberts believe America must reclaim its Christian roots?
0:53–1:46
4
What are the core Christian values foundational to America?
1:46–2:12
5
How does Kevin Roberts define freedom in the American context?
2:12–4:32
6
How can religious liberty be protected without legal restrictions?
4:32–7:17
7
What is the true meaning of separation of church and state?
7:17–10:29
8
How has the Biden administration impacted religious freedom?
10:29–14:55
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Morning Wire
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