Author Seeks to Change America‘s ’Ungodly Direction’
- Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:37pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Dr. Carol M. Swain
Dr. Carol M. Swain, an esteemed law professor, frequent media contributor and Christian social scientist, isn’t afraid to stand up for the values she espouses.
In discussing her new book, “Be the People,“ she claims that ”the ungodly direction of the country” was the motivating force that led her to pen what is certainly an intriguing work.
I met Dr. Swain back in March 2011 when we both appeared on Sean Hannity’s Great American Panel. I was instantly captivated by her passion, intelligence and grasp on social theory. And, I was more than curious when she explained that she was finishing up and preparing to release a new book.
This week, I caught up with the busy professor to ask her for some in-depth commentary about “Be the People,” which was published earlier this summer. According to Swain, the book was written primarily for American Christians, although she also hopes that Jews, Muslims and others who share Christian views on social issues will also take heed.
Considering the left-of-center nature of the majority of today’s colleges and universities, Swain’s vocal — and conservative — stance on faith and political issues makes her a rare breed among her fellow academics. Considering this fact, my first question for her was why she felt compelled to write such a pro-Christian book. She explains:
“I wrote Be the People because I was deeply troubled by the ungodly direction of the country. I wanted to write a book that would help everyday Americans understand what the Bible has to say about current social and political issues. In particular, I wanted them to understand their own power and how far the nation has strayed from its Judeo-Christian roots.”
Of course, every author has a motivating factor or force behind his or her decision to write on a specific topic. Clearly, Swain was determined to highlight her views on America’s Christian heritage. But, beyond simply educating readers, she’s also hoping to empower them.
Swain believes that there’s a cost to being apathetic. She also believes that it’s important for Americans to come together to encourage leaders to make moral policy decisions:
“I want people to realize that under our Constitution the power to change America rests in the hands of the people. Therefore, we are ultimately responsible for the programs and policies that our leaders enact on our behalf. I believe God will hold us accountable for the leaders we elect and what we allow them to get away with.”
Interestingly, Swain titled her book, “Be the People.” This is clearly a play on the Constitution’s introductory words, “We the people.” Her urge to see Americans recognize the responsibility and the power that they have to make lasting change is espoused in the title. When asked how citizens can learn to “be the people,” she says:
“I think we start by re-reading the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution…and the Judeo-Christian Bible. America’s majority must decide what it means to be a Christian or Jewish believer in an everlasting God. If God changes not, then Believers need to take seriously biblical injunctions found in the Old and New Testament.”
Watch Swain discuss her book on “Bridges” with host Monica Schmelter:
It is these documents that Swain believes will reinvigorate readers, while showcasing for them the values and underpinnings they need to collectively set the nation back on track. Of particular importance, she says that her book shows readers that the nation’s Christian founding indicates potential judgement from an Almighty God. In her view, the actions of the country’s leaders may put the nation at risk of being judged harshly:
“…[the book] raises the question of why we have relinquished so much power to a small number of atheists and secular humanists who now dictate the terms of debate on critical social and political issues.”
It is this “judgement” factor that non-believers will likely scoff at. But, considering the biblical example provided in Israel, Swain believes that America could easily become one of “the fallen nations of history.” She says:
“In the case of Israel, God used the most ungodly and harsh nation to mete out his judgment. Americans do not want to fall into the hands of China, Iran or North Korea.”
This warning, again, will likely fail to resonate with non-Christians, but considering Swain’s target audience — believers — this isn’t a problem. One wonders how America, pending God’s judgement is a viable possibility, can avoid following a dangerous path. Swain offers the following solution:
“All we need is for the majority of Americans to standup and take responsibility for the condition of the nation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Makes the condition for national repentance and redemption quite clear. America needs its religious and political leaders to take responsibility for leading the people in a Godly direction and the people need to take responsibility for fearing men more than they fear God.”
Swain believes that the nation’s founders intended there to be free debate about all social and political issues, with the best arguments winning (even if the speaker or politician uses biblical arguments in illustrating his or her opinions).
Regardless of whether one agrees with her stances on matter of faith and politics, Swain‘s personal story perfectly illustrates one’s ability to overcome adversity to obtain the much-sought-after American dream. A small snippet of her biography perfectly encapsulates this sentiment:
From high school dropout and teenage mother to esteemed Vanderbilt University law professor, Carol M. Swain is passionate about empowering others to confidently raise their conservative voices in the public square.
In addressing her own disadvantaged past and her urge to help others, she told me:
My story shows that America is still a land of tremendous possibilities. I would like to restore hope in the Dream for all Americans and especially those like me that come from disadvantaged circumstances.
Click here more information on Dr. Carol M. Swain and be sure to read more about “Be the People.”



















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Comments (133)
Fight for America
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:47pmHere’s an idea –
be good people and do no harm
because it makes sense
not because any religion or govt. says to be that way.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:07pmThank you for actually “getting it”.
Report Post »willnotbackdown
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:37pmwithout a higher moral athority one mans opinion is equal to another mans opinion as far as what is good, fair and just.
Report Post »hargisP
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:54pm@ Fight For America. God says all of your righteousness is as filthy rags (minsteral cloths bloody and stinky). Without God no one can do good.
Report Post »sonseeker
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:11pmAmen…be excellent to one another
Report Post »LOLReally
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 11:30pmto willnotbackdown: That higher moral authority sure worked well for warren jeffs and all those muslim suicide bombers, nevermind hispanic gangs that think they are devout catholics or jim jones’ followers. So please try and convince me religon is the key to some utopia.
Report Post »Treat others they same way you would like to be treated, you never know whos packing heat. My aim is perfect is yours?
snooop1e
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:26amSounds reasonable. How do you define “Good” ???
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 4:41amAnd without God and religion, who exactly will define what ‘good’ is? God and religion gave humanity the boundaries to live by. Without them we’d still all be barbarians.
Report Post »TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:37amThere are non believers sharing the same life principles as believers, but overall, I believe that the faithful are taught morality & principles in much higher numbers from childhood onward.
Here‘s George Washington’s view; “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness – these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, “where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?” And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundat
Report Post »taethne
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 5:46amLolreally: I agree that some have done bad things claiming some type of god moved them. The vast majority of those in any of the major religion would condemn all these acts. Of course there are non religionist who have committed atrocities that people never mention nor would consider themselves like, even though they share a disdain for God. Stalin, 40-60 million dead. Having lived in Russia I have spoken to several who lived through those regimes and the fallout from that. What about Pol Pot, 2 million dead. China? Who knows how many dead or put in prison for their beliefs. All of this in the name of their non religion, religion. Superior belief system? Yea right. Non religion is not neutral, it is deadly. You may not want to be lumped in with these atheists, but neither do I desire to be lumped in with people who claim God but are so far from Him, like Jim Jones or religious terrorists.
Meanwhile I see many hospitals founded by Christians and Jews. I see many people of faith out helping those in need like during and after Irene. I have never seen an atheist hospital. Believe what you want and I am in total agreement and respect your rights to believe what you want. Could care less that you appear to not believe in God. But please do not throw out that somehow those who believe in a God are the overwhelming bad guys when atheists can claim far more victims than those of any religion.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 7:56amI have always appreciated Dr. Swain’s common sense views… This is a lady with class, integrity and the courage to speak out.
Report Post »futureatstake
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 10:13amAre you saying that Judeo-Christian values make sense when weighed against Muslim-Sharia law principles? The Bible IS relevant! We ARE a Christian nation!
Report Post »noahsdove
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:10pmTalk, talk, talk and miss the point entirely. You’re right about that. The Lord’s people are the lowly, the meek, the poor and pious, not these chattering faces on tv or the web. No president or other leader has answers any more than me with my downy wings. We all are, “as the grass..that flourishes, flowers, and fades away..while the words of God remain. The book will be fulfilled…hard to imagine something that excludes our self importance…brings us to a realization of our own worthless, rantings and egotistical opinions. Be holy as Jesus was….strive for his gentleness, his love, his courage, strength and patience. As Job said, “Though He slay me, yet shall I follow Him.”
Report Post »Elections, books, interviews, campaigns, commentaries, all are rising waters…..“perplexity and distress of nations”(Luke)…nothing will save this world from it’s fate. Drop to your knees and stay there before His mighty presence. For the Day of the Lord is at hand. “He who saves his own life(participates in the self serving and contentious spirit of the age) will lose it, and he who loses his life (abandons the useless attempts of man to be his own saviour)for my sake will find it…. In a nutshell, we don’t matter. This is bigger by far than any of us sinning fools. Cling to Jesus. He will give you peace, plenty, love deeper than any other and will save you from eternal regret. That long haired man from Galilee….Nuff said, pass it on, and now I fly away……
fred
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:15pmWithout God, there are no inalienable rights. Belief in the Judeo-Christian God should be expected of every leader we elect.
Report Post »johnj1952
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:34amVery good, simple and easy to understand, Thank you TFFA.
Report Post »dmac2225
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:46am@thatsitivehadenough…. If you need the artificial constructs of god and religion to be able to tell good from bad… I feel sorry for you.
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:31pm@dmac2225 = > Let me guess, God and religion are “artificial” constructs and your subjective reality is the genuine construct?
Report Post »mario
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:46pmWe need many many more black conservative leaders such as this Great Woman to lead all of us, black & white out of the hell hole our political masters have created.
Report Post »God Bless and protect her.
Ron_WA
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:11pmYes we do but too many are coerced into siding w/ their racial identification rather than what’s in their heart & their morals.
Report Post »Azza
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:36amWe already have a great number of people who are the “Be The People” …….if you have not noticed than your asleep……..However I also agree that the Black community needs to get fired up…….and many public schools in the south are doing bible study in the class room………of course neither the administration nor the left will comment on this……..why ……..you know why…….but I personally back these people up…..we see that are leader have forgotten that in a Republic its ……..We the People ……give you limited power……..Alfalfa had done a lot of damage in the last 3 yrs…….the Racist Democratic Party Plantation Congress as Overseers of the Plantation have created a lot of damage…….with personal responsibility , the world becomes a more pleasant place ……….
Report Post »JohnGalt
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 9:53amMy question is why is it still black and white? can’t we just accept we are different skin color but still people that God made? We should learn acceptance of each other because of our differences, not “tolerance” of one another. I’ve seen Dr.Swain talk with Hannity, her book is excellent! this woman understands what it is to be America. We definitely need more scholars like Dr. swain teaching our kids!
Report Post »noahsdove
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:24pmLook past this world to the Heavenly abode….Above the tumult where the clouds reside….”As the heavens are above the earth, so My ways are above your ways.” (Isaiah) You humans need so much to be clear on things you cannot see past the temporal. “Fear God and do good, for this is man’s all”..(Solomon)…This means forget the hype. Leave all to God and obey His Commands…That is all. There was a reason that the old one, Noah, set me out the window that day when all the world was water after the Raven did not return, and The Lord sent me again to light on the Head of His Son before the baptist that day on the Jordan. He sends me yet again in this late hour to say to all of humanity that another 2000 years of man’s rule has lead you all to global despair, lawlessness, greed, delusion, and war on every side. The dark chasm is yawning for souls. the devil is dragging more of them down to Hell every day. Be ye not counted among them, but come to Jesus. It is the ONLY way…..and now I fly away….
Report Post »DoctorRon
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:35pmHas anyone on the left accused her of being paid to be conservative?
Report Post »spirited
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:14pmHow could anyone?
…Dr. Carol Swain has been speaking her mind publicly for quite some time.
What is so fantastic is that she is the opposite of today‘s ’academics’.
;8^>Would love to hear her specific thoughts about the Congressional Black Caucus.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:29pmI have yet to read Mrs. Swain’s book, but the premise is absolutely correct!
The battle cry of the American Revolution was “No king but Jesus!” They knew that the premise for a successful venture into Freedom, meant a personal slavery to the commands of Christ.
In America, The People are all kings – in that they get to have a vote – a say in their political destiny. Therefore, the moral responsibility lies with us.
Sick of a government in debt? Get out of debt yourself. Tired of a government that double-deals and flip-flops? Be steadfast and unmoveable in your moral convictions. If the government has problems (which it does), they are a reflection of us.
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:42pmthat wasn’t the only battle cry of the American Revolution, Sir.
There were many.
Please refrain from 21st century sectarianism by distorting history as your justification.
————
America sold out a long time ago.
Our FREEDOM and REASON will guide the way through troubling times.
cheers
Report Post »GIDEON612
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:28pm@TH30PH1LUS
You are right on with your assessment of the battle cry of the revolution.
Those people were led by God and fought for an unrestricted area to worship and serve Him.
They gave all to The One that gave them all they had.
These people fled the left wingers of their time and the left wingers of our time try to cover it up and rewrite these facts.
God will not be silenced and every knee shall bow before Him one day.
This woman is spot on with her book and it is a word in due season. It does not matter the skin color at all, we are all of the same flesh.
At many times I wish to remove the tares here, but it would do too much damage.
May God bless you all and look up, for your redemption draws near.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:23amWe have so many people today who want to distort our history as a nation by saying our founding fathers were merely deists but thankfully just a little digging will find out that’s not true. In fact If anyone wants to look at these articles here Dave Miller does an excellent job and does his homework and shows quotes by the founding fathers and others who held to judeo-Christian beliefs. http://apologeticspress.com/APContent.aspx?category=7&topic=33
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 12:27am@GIDEON612 You said the colonists were fighting the leftists of their day.
Not exactly. The colonists were indeed fighting tyranny, but the foe the colonists were fighting in the Revolution were much better people than the leftist foe we are fighting today.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:22pmmay the king of all kings and the lord of all lords ,God almighty bless dr. swain and her family…
Report Post »Stuck_in_CA
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:44pmI love this lady. Wish we had HER in the White House. She’s amazing.
Report Post »noahsdove
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 1:24pmThis just in: AUTHOR SEEKS TO FILL HER POCKETS BY WRITING A BOOK THAT EVERYONE CAN TALK ABOUT FOR A FEW DAYS OR UNTIL SHE HAS SOLD ENOUGH COPIES TO BUY HER WAY OUT OF THIS SINKING SHIP THAT USED TO BE AMERICA!! Save your money. You may need it to top off the wheel barrel full of it that you will soon need to buy a gallon of gas!!
Report Post »Charlie Justice
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:20pmOur faith in Christ is not a prerequisite for His existence. We simply must tell the truth and watch the truth set everyone free.
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:57pmYou can tell the truth and still treat your fellow man horribly and be immoral in other ways.
Report Post »LinkedIn G
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:14pmGood for you Dr. Carol M. Swain. Way to stand up for what you believe in.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:12pmDon’t have these uplifting and encouraging words heard very much anymore but when we do it is so wonderful. I have seen her and have admired her. Not afraid to take a stand and we need to start doiing the same – it is not easy but let’s remember GOD never promised that it would be easy. May GOD richly bless her and open many, many doors for her
Report Post »spirited
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:12pmDr. Carol M. Swain used to be a semi-regular guest of Lou Dobbs when he was at CNN.
She was always interesting, very well-spoken, seemingly confident –yet, poised and polite when voicing her opinion or providing facts; in spite of other guest(s) who would usurp both the topic and air time.
>She’s one smart lady……who walks the talk!
Report Post »OneofMany
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:11pmTruth meets at the top! Humans, which are created eternal (the soul either lives on in death -the 2nd death or in life- heaven) so humans are judged after their life, but countries are not eternal, so they are judged in the present.
Since American is not mentioned in the bible, there is a very strong possibility that we are of no consequence in the end, and it seems to be being fulfilled even as we life and breath today….
Report Post »Greenwood
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 8:11pmSince American is not mentioned in the bible, there is a very strong possibility that we are of no consequence in the end, and it seems to be being fulfilled even as we life and breath today….
Revelation 13: 11- 13
Report Post »noahsdove
Posted on August 31, 2011 at 12:32pmGreenwood’s gettin it….We are simply flowers in the field…..Nations rise and fall….Read a history book….this is about your everloving souls and their salvation from an eternal separation from all that is good, and just, and holy….Life is so very short….Don’t waste another precious day contending and disputing things that have no meaning….Thank you to the blaze for being the eyes and ears of many who were in darkness about the things unfolding in this world and at this time!….Now, there’s a bird feeder needs my attention…
Report Post »dmac2225
Posted on September 1, 2011 at 2:55am“Since America is not mentioned in the Bible…” What nation, that did not exist at the time, is mentioned in the Bible? England, France, Russia, Iraq, Sweden? Other than a Jewish state that had existed, then didn’t, then did again prior to the Bible being written. What nations does the Bible foretell?
Report Post »Give_heed
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:07pmDr. Swain book is very similar to “The Mega Pastor” written by Dr. Douglas Stewart, excellent!!!
Report Post »This is a great book for Chritian, particularly leaders.
JEANNIEMAC
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:05pmTheBlaze must be feared by the left. Their trolls are trying to hit the top of the postings. Nasty ridicule is the “tell” of the leftist Alinskyites.
Report Post »GJ3
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:08pmI wonder how many of them know that Alinsky dedicated his book to Lucifer at the beginning of the book.
Report Post »JEANNIEMAC
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:04pmPEABRAIN sounds like a real uneducated redneck. Go home to Mama.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 9:15pmTake your Meds, lib
Report Post »Godsman
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:03pmI am just wondering where in the world a comment as vulgar and inconsequential as this comes from? If you don’t agree with the woman, her book, or the Blaze article just say so. Insulting and vulgar comments are really not necessary.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:00pmBless you, bless you for standing up to the un-Godly who are running this great country into the the ground. Thank you for saying truth and may this nation, especially Christians and Jews pay attention and stop letting a few determine the course of this nation. I hope that all Pastors , Preachers, etc, will heed this well written discourse and help change the way we are going. We need your voice and many others. Again, bless you and thank you.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:04pmShe is truly a beautiful and courageous woman. God bless her. I pray the aceademic world listens to the wisdom she is sharing.
Report Post »Conservative New Yorker
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:57pmCourageous and intelligent woman. Seen her on Hannity and she is wonderful!
LOL I have to laugh at some of these trolls. Seeing a minority off the the *liberal/progressive plantation* makes their heads explode. Get ready libs because there’s many more of us than you realize!
Report Post »ejbonk
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:56pmShe is a Credit to her Sex and to Her Race. May God Bless her and keep all the day of her life.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:56pm@MOSSBRAIN
You have problems it would seem. Why even post such garbage? It’s sad; I bet you’re sad too.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:55pm“ god will hold us accountable for those we elect ”
That my little sheep is collective salvation. I’m pretty sure beck forbids that.
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:02pmSir, I think what she’s saying is that God will hold us responsible for our actions.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 7:02pmOldPhoto, no, that is not what she meant. We all vote independant of each other. We don’t take a town in the voting booth. Individually, we are responsible. You are an old poop. I’ve seen your other posts and you are consistently way off the mark.
Report Post »Kitzie1963
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:51pmMossbrain…get a clue!
Report Post »mule creek ridge
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:51pmBless you and yours Dr. Carol M. Swain!!!!!!!
Report Post »GJ3
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:50pmGrow up.
Report Post »Kitzie1963
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:50pmMay your tribe increase!
Report Post »GJ3
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:49pmI am currently reading the book now. It has been very interesting and difficult to put down. Her chapter on abortion is a real eye opener.
Report Post »HD Veteran
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:44pmMany won’t hear her.
Report Post »GJ3
Posted on August 30, 2011 at 6:50pmThat is unfortunate. I am reading her book now and it is really enlightening.
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