How could the white colonists fight for freedom and remain numb to the possibility of liberty for the slaves? The question plagues us to this day, writes Antipas L. Harris. |More
Read Religion News Service's Fourth of July archives on our website here.
Frederick Douglass’ July 5 speech in 1852 is a still relevant indictment of America’s habit of championing freedom while failing to measure up to democratic ideals on race. |More
As we approach our national Independence Day this year, I’m inspired to look at the holiday as a chance to commemorate the past, but, even more importantly, to demand a better future, writes Carr Harkrader. | More
Independence Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the ideological tug-of-war about religious freedom in America. The Declaration of Independence is the topic of this episode. What can we make of the references to religion and God in the text? This Beliefs podcast episode features an interview with author and academic Ira Stoll. | More
As the border crisis boiled over last summer, I attended a Southern Baptist megachurch on Fourth of July weekend. I wanted to hear which would speak louder: Jesus or America, writes Angela Denker. |More
Americans need to embrace a more mature and realistic patriotism, one that recognizes that everything is not perfect but that there is still something worth celebrating, writes Thomas Reese. | More
