Book Review: The Right to Be Wrong by Kevin Seamus Hasson

The Right to Be Wrong: Ending the Culture War Over Religion in America by Kevin Seamus Hasson

Every December it happens. People complain about how their holy day is being ignored or trivialized. Others complain about Menorahs or Nativity sets being set up on public property. Outrage over too much or not enough or not the right religion turns into clickbait headlines on the internet, in print media, and on television. People squabble over the right to freedom of expression and freedom from expression of religion.

According to author Kevin Hasson, the problem lies between two extremes, two groups he calls Pilgrims and Park Rangers. Pilgrims have the truth, and they think that only that truth should be (and ought to be) displayed in public. The original Pilgrims came to Plymouth Colony fleeing religious persecution in England. Ironically, they began persecuting the non-Pilgrims who came on the trip and arrived later in what is now Massachusetts. After celebrating the first Thanksgiving with a day off to feast and enjoy themselves, the Pilgrims forbade any celebration of Christmas, which they knew was a Catholic innovation and not part of their pure Christian faith. Anyone who wanted to enjoy themselves in public places had to take it into their homes and not disturb the good, hardworking Pilgrims. Park Rangers deny that there is a definitive religious truth and that therefore there should be no public displays favoring any religion. Hasson tells the bizarre true story of a parking barrier set up in the wrong spot of a public park. At first, the Park Rangers wanted it removed. Then a local garden club said the barrier made a nice aesthetic balance, so it stayed. Then some New Agers saw it as a sacred representation of balance, and that was enough for the Park Rangers to get it moved out of public sight. The state can't sponsor a religious object on public property, can it? "You can celebrate in the privacy of your own home" is the conclusion of the Park Rangers, which is almost the same as the Pilgrims sending other Christians indoors on Christmas. Resolving these two extreme viewpoints is tricky but necessary.

The culture war over religion has played out again and again in America's history. Hasson uses historical events from the 1700s to modern day to bring up issues and insights. He advocates for a middle ground, where everyone needs to allow the religious views and expressions of others within reasonable limits. He appeals to the truth that we are all humans who search for the truth and have the conscientious obligation to follow that truth. Even if that truth is mistaken. Living by that understanding requires both vigilance and flexibility, because the issue will come up again and again in both new and old ways. If our history teaches us anything, we should learn the futility of being a Pilgrim or a Park Ranger. Also, the inhumanity of being a Pilgrim or a Park Ranger.

Highly recommended.