As America becomes more secular and pluralistic, conservatives are fighting a rearguard battle to protect their rights to speak, worship, and participate in the public square. Some have suggested that conservatives isolate themselves, promising not to offend if left alone. At the same time, ascendant liberals are seizing the opportunity to consolidate their hold on cultural institutions. They are abandoning commitments to open debate and tolerance for minority viewpoints. History is important in this conversation.

While conservatives proudly proclaimed America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, underlying its unique history and future success, liberals saw the nation’s strength in diversity and the protection of individual rights. Conservatives highlighted the Founding Fathers’ religious beliefs, while liberals emphasized their rejection of divine rule and the enlightenment embrace of reason, natural law, self-evident truths, and universal rights.