On March 10, 2011,  Dr. John Fea, Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department at Messiah College in Grantham, PA,presented a fascinating presntation to the Col. Richard Somers Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.   This was the third lecture made possible by the Ray Bebe Law Firm.

There are many views of what America was intended to be.  Secularists believe it was created to be just that – a nation with no religious underpinnings or influences.  Liberal Protestants have their view, actually very close to the secularists at times, but with a tinge of religiosity, especially during political campaigns.  Evangelical Protestants have their view, but this view, like ice cream, comes in many flavors.  In general they see some to much Christian influence in the founding and continuation progress of America.  Roman Catholics have yet another view, sometimes like the liberal Protestants but lately more often like the Evangelicals.  And, of course, the newly arriving Moslems, Hindus and other groups have their views of an ideal America.  What is the right view of this thing we call America, and, is there such a thing as a correct view from a historical viewpoint?  Dr. John Fea will give us a capsule introduction to this thorny subject through his newly published book about this very subject.  Dr. Fea earned his Ph.D. from SUNY – Stoney Brook; he comes highly recommended from the American History Department at Princeton University.  His past books have been published by The University of Pennsylvania Press and Notre Dame University Press.  His talk will be clearly historical, not “pushy” religious in nature, but it will deal with real history as the records reflect, showing how different religious groups and leaders had different ideas and influences during the time of the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Fea has graciously consented to allow us to post a video of his presentation below.