In The Non-Fiction Corner---Deep Conviction

In The Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren

Deep Conviction: True Stories of Ordinary Americans Fighting for the Freedom to Live Their Beliefs by Steven T. Collis is a powerful book about citizens who have helped pave the way for us to have the religious freedoms we all enjoy. As Americans, we know that we have religious freedoms, but what exactly does that mean? Where is the line? Collis explores exactly that. In this well-researched and riveting read, Collis recounts four cases in America that have helped shape religious freedom laws. I was curious to see how all the cases ended, so this book was hard to put down!

My favorite was the first and oldest case. A Catholic priest in 1813 was brought into court after refusing to give the name of a criminal, because the criminal admitted to the crime during a sacramental confession with the priest. It had never occurred to me before that this would be a problem, as I was not familiar with Catholic sacraments. However as I got into the case, I found myself wondering and worrying what the outcome would be. A later case that was more familiar to me involved a gay couple and a bakery in Colorado. It was great to read the case in a way that was a captivating story and was also fair to both sides. Religious freedom is important to all of us, and I think sometimes we take it for granted. I would recommend this book as an excellent read for learning about who helped us gain those freedoms that we all enjoy.

You can get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Deep Conviction features four ordinary Americans who put their reputations and livelihoods at risk as they fought to protect their first amendment right to live their personal beliefs. Though these individuals couldn’t be more different, they share a similar conviction and determination, and the principles of religious freedom apply equally to all of them.

In 1813, a Catholic priest in New York City faced prison after a grand jury subpoenaed him for refusing to divulge the identity of a jewelry thief who admitted to the crime during the sacrament of confession.

In 1959, an atheist in Maryland was forced to choose between his job and his beliefs when the state required him, as part of the hiring process, to sign an oath that said he believed in God. The United States Supreme Court would decide his fate.

In 1989, a Klamath Indian man walked into the highest court of our nation to fight for the right to practice the central sacrament of the Native American Church after the state of Oregon had declared it illegal.

And, finally, in 2017, a Christian baker and a gay couple took their cases to the United States Supreme Court after the baker declined to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate the couple’s same-sex marriage, fearing it would violate his duty to God.

Chosen for their universality and for the broad principles they represent, these true stories reflect the diversity of beliefs in the United States, the conflicts between religious freedom and other interests, the perils individuals face when their right to live their beliefs is threatened, and the genius of America’s promise of religious liberty for all.