Andrew Seidel: Advocate for Constitutional Integrity
Table of Contents
Introduction
Video Interview
Early Life and Education
Legal Career and Advocacy
The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American
American Crusade: How the Supreme Court is Weaponizing of Religious Freedom
Andrew Seidel's Impact and Recognition
Introduction
In the realm of constitutional law and civil rights advocacy, Andrew L. Seidel has emerged as a stalwart defender of the First Amendment and a relentless advocate for the separation of church and state. This extended exploration delves deeper into Seidel's multifaceted career, stretching from his academic beginnings to his impactful roles at the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU).
Video Interview
Amber LeMay thoroughly enjoyed talking with Andrew on her show. You can watch this amazing conversation in the video found here.
Andrew L. Seidel
Early Life and Education
Andrew Seidel's journey toward becoming a prominent constitutional attorney commenced with a solid academic foundation. Born in 1982 in New Jersey, he embarked on his educational odyssey at Tulane University, graduating cum laude in 2004 with a B.S. in neuroscience and environmental science. After a stint as a Grand Canyon tour guide, he returned to school to save the world, graduating magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School in 2009, beginning a legal career characterized by unwavering dedication. Seidel went on to get a second law degree at Denver Law, where he was the Erik Bluemel International Environmental Law Scholar and then entered private practice. Unfulfilled by law firm life, Seidel wanted to dedicate his career to something bigger. He had spent his life standing up to bullies, and would use his law degree to do the same.
Legal Career and Advocacy
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Seidel's foray into the constitutional battlefield began in 2011 when he joined the FFRF as a constitutional attorney. Steeped in the mission of defending the separation of state and church, Seidel quickly rose through the ranks. His tenure at FFRF saw him not only tackling legal cases but also assuming the role of Director of Strategic Response, leading the nimble Strategic Response Team.
Some highlights of Seidel's work at FFRF include litigating a case that declared legislative prayers and school board prayers unconstitutional and filing amicus briefs in Supreme Court cases. He also spoke extensively to local groups about upholding the First Amendment.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
The year 2022 marked a significant transition in Seidel's career as he assumed the role of Vice President of Strategic Communications at AU. This shift underscores his continued commitment to advancing the cause of constitutional integrity.
At AU, Seidel oversees the organization's earned media strategy, opinion writing, social media, and marketing. He works closely with the policy, legal, and field teams to develop impactful communications campaigns that educate the public on crucial church-state issues.
Americans United logo
The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American
Genesis of the Book
The Founding Myth began as a law review article. Seidel sought to provide a historically grounded counter-narrative to Christian nationalism. The book systematically dissects historical claims, challenging the belief that America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.
Seidel spent over ten years researching and writing the book. He pored over historical documents, read extensively about the key founders and their philosophies, analyzed early biblical translations, and scrutinized the original texts of seminal documents like the Declaration of Independence. This rigorous approach underscores his commitment to factual accuracy.
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Analyzing Historical Claims
Seidel's book meticulously compares the Ten Commandments to the Constitution, scrutinizes the influence of the Bible in the United States, contrasts biblical doctrine with America's founding philosophy, and successfully argues that the Bible contradicts the Declaration of Independence's fundamental tenets. This thorough exploration substantiates Seidel's persuasive case that America was not built on the Bible and that Christian nationalism is inherently un-American.
Responses and Reactions
The reception of The Founding Myth has been diverse. The Los Angeles Review of Books praised its brilliance, ambition, and compelling arguments against Christian nationalism. Pastor Greg Locke, a Christian Nationalist preacher in Tennessee, filmed himself burning a copy of The Founding Myth with a blow torch, causing international outrage. Seidel has spoken widely about the arguments in the book and debated those arguments with conservatives. This engagement highlights his willingness to defend positions with evidence-based discourse.
American Crusade: How the Supreme Court is Weaponizing of Religious Freedom
Religious Freedom as a Shield or Weapon
American Crusade thrusts readers into a critical examination of religious freedom and the Supreme Court’s recent quest to pervert that longstanding protection. Seidel argues that the right must be a shield against government overreach and not a weapon to impose religion on others. The book sheds light on a group of committed Christian Nationalists, the "Crusaders," attempting to redefine and weaponize religious liberty, transforming it from a hallowed legal protection into a tool to impose a narrow, conservative Christianity on us all. .
The book goes into the legal and political strategies used by the "Crusaders" to systematically pursue law and policy changes. It also examines the influence of major right-wing donors and special interest groups who fund the Crusaders' efforts.
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Impactful Supreme Court Cases
American Crusade takes readers on a journey through pivotal Supreme Court cases over the last thirty years. From the contentious gay wedding cake case to challenges against Covid-19 health measures, Seidel illuminates how freedom of religion has been transformed into a tool to advance privilege and impose religion on others.
The book offers insightful legal analysis, examining majority and dissenting opinions. It highlights concerning implications for individual rights and equality under an expanding distortion of religious liberty advanced by the Crusaders and embraced by the Court's conservative majority.
Andrew Seidel's Impact and Recognition
Media Engagements
Beyond the pages of his books, Seidel's influence extends to various media outlets. As a Senior Correspondent at Religion Dispatches, he has engaged in spirited debates on major news channels such as Fox News and MSNBC, presenting a compelling case against Christian nationalism.
Seidel is a frequent guest on radio shows and podcasts as well and a prolific author of op-eds both here and internationally.
Academic Contributions
Seidel's impact is not confined to public discourse; it permeates academic circles. He is co-editor of the academic text Law and Religion: Cases and Materials, and scholarly articles on this history and law. This exemplifies his commitment to shaping legal and scholarly conversations.
Andrew L. Seidel's journey from academic excellence to a prominent role in defending constitutional values is marked by unwavering commitment and diverse experiences. Through his books, media engagements, and contributions to legal and academic discourse, he continues to be a beacon in the ongoing struggle for constitutional integrity.
As Vice President of Strategic Communications at AU, Seidel now commands an expanded platform to amplify his vision of upholding freedom of conscience and fortifying the wall separating church and state. With Christian nationalism resurgent, his voice and perspective remain vitally relevant in current public debates.
—This article was written, restructured, or adapted by Russell with information gathered from sources around the internet. Russell is the producer of Amber Live and is greatly overworked to pull it all together. If it’s on the internet, it must be true. (We’re kidding.) BUT, if you find any errors or omissions in the article, please let us know so that we may correct the issue. Thanks for your support!
