Book Reviews: Separation of Church & State, Religious Liberty
The issue of the separation of church and state has been at the center of a tremendous number of debates in the United States. Questions about prayer in pubic schools, government support of religious events, and more have created a great deal of controversy and quite a few court cases. The books here represent some of the best current works support church/state separation.
'Ye Will Say I Am No Christian': Thomas Jefferson / John Adams Correspondence
There is a strong political movement in modern America that asserts that America was originally founded as a Christian Nation. This is meant not as a description of America's original demographics, but a statement of America's original political philosophy and moral ideology. When we examine some of the writings of America's political founders, we find that some of the most influential figures did not express this sort of ideology - on the contrary, we often find just the opposite.
There is a strong political movement in modern America that asserts that America was originally founded as a Christian Nation. This is meant not as a description of America's original demographics, but a statement of America's original political philosophy and moral ideology. When we examine some of the writings of America's political founders, we find that some of the most influential figures did not express this sort of ideology - on the contrary, we often find just the opposite.
Faiths of the Founding Fathers, by David L. Holmes
Debates about the role of religion in contemporary American politics and law invariably turn to questions about the beliefs and intentions of the 'Founding Fathers' - the political and social leaders of early America who led the revolution against Britain and constructed a new system of government. What did the authors of America's government think about religion and its place in the public square?
Debates about the role of religion in contemporary American politics and law invariably turn to questions about the beliefs and intentions of the 'Founding Fathers' - the political and social leaders of early America who led the revolution against Britain and constructed a new system of government. What did the authors of America's government think about religion and its place in the public square?
Politics, Religion, and the Common Good
Public debates about the role of religion in the government in America are often characterized by rancor and bad feelings. It's questionable whether much progress can be made on this issue if people can't learn to work together more, so some scholars have been seeking ways to decrease the level of animosity in the rhetoric and arguments.
Public debates about the role of religion in the government in America are often characterized by rancor and bad feelings. It's questionable whether much progress can be made on this issue if people can't learn to work together more, so some scholars have been seeking ways to decrease the level of animosity in the rhetoric and arguments.
God vs. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law
Religion is not an unmitigated good. Although religion can do some good for people, religion can also be used as a cover for crimes - or merely for what is otherwise a naked grab for power. Unfortunately, too many people act as though religion is always positive.
Religion is not an unmitigated good. Although religion can do some good for people, religion can also be used as a cover for crimes - or merely for what is otherwise a naked grab for power. Unfortunately, too many people act as though religion is always positive.
Divided by God: America's Church-State Problem
Some of America's most rancorous debates are over the separation of church and state. Should the government have the authority to pick certain religions and/or religious beliefs for favoritism, endorsement, or promotion? Should the government remain strictly neutral between religions and between religion and non-religion, not taking sides in any religious disputes?
Some of America's most rancorous debates are over the separation of church and state. Should the government have the authority to pick certain religions and/or religious beliefs for favoritism, endorsement, or promotion? Should the government remain strictly neutral between religions and between religion and non-religion, not taking sides in any religious disputes?
Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land: A History of Church & State
The principle that church and state are both best served when they remain separated has long been a guiding principle in American public and political life - or has it? In fact, the separating of church and state was a long and difficult process, and it hasn't quite been achieved even today. It is important to understand what has come before in order to better grasp the problems that face us now.
The principle that church and state are both best served when they remain separated has long been a guiding principle in American public and political life - or has it? In fact, the separating of church and state was a long and difficult process, and it hasn't quite been achieved even today. It is important to understand what has come before in order to better grasp the problems that face us now.
Great Quotations on Religious Freedom
Is religion necessary for the maintenance of social order? Would allowing greater religious liberty result in an increase in social disorder, social strife and a breakdown in common moral values? This debate has raged for centuries, and it shows little sign of letting up any time soon.
Is religion necessary for the maintenance of social order? Would allowing greater religious liberty result in an increase in social disorder, social strife and a breakdown in common moral values? This debate has raged for centuries, and it shows little sign of letting up any time soon.
The Christian Right in American Politics
The Christian Right has evolved into a powerful force in American politics during the past thirty years, moving from a purely outsider movement to the ultimate insiders. How did they achieve their gains - and, in fact, what sort of real gains have they actually managed to reach?
The Christian Right has evolved into a powerful force in American politics during the past thirty years, moving from a purely outsider movement to the ultimate insiders. How did they achieve their gains - and, in fact, what sort of real gains have they actually managed to reach?
Without a Prayer: Religious Expression in Public Schools
What is wrong with having prayer in school? Many in the US believe that organized classroom prayers would be good for the moral development of children and it is true that prayers were common in schools for a long time. Others argue that schools, as representatives of state power, should not get involved with religious rituals, either to hinder or to help them. So who is right?
What is wrong with having prayer in school? Many in the US believe that organized classroom prayers would be good for the moral development of children and it is true that prayers were common in schools for a long time. Others argue that schools, as representatives of state power, should not get involved with religious rituals, either to hinder or to help them. So who is right?
Religious Liberty in America: Political Safeguards
Religious liberty is important in America and to the American conception of itself as a free nation. Although religious liberties may be established in the American Constitution, mere words cannot guarantee that freedoms will be protected. Instead, we must rely upon the actions of people who believe the words in the Constitution and who want to see the principles of religious liberty maintained.
Religious liberty is important in America and to the American conception of itself as a free nation. Although religious liberties may be established in the American Constitution, mere words cannot guarantee that freedoms will be protected. Instead, we must rely upon the actions of people who believe the words in the Constitution and who want to see the principles of religious liberty maintained.
Farewell to Christendom: Future of Church and State in America
Should the government use its power to encourage religion? Should the government use religion to encourage and strengthen moral values? Or does the Constitution prohibit such actions in the name of the separation of church and state?
Should the government use its power to encourage religion? Should the government use religion to encourage and strengthen moral values? Or does the Constitution prohibit such actions in the name of the separation of church and state?
Why the Religious Right is Wrong
Is the separation of church and state really just a myth, something the founders never actually intended? Was the United States founded as a "Christian Nation," thus meaning that the current trend towards secularism represents an unacceptable break with our own history? According to the Religious Right, the answers to these questions are an unqualified "Yes."
Is the separation of church and state really just a myth, something the founders never actually intended? Was the United States founded as a "Christian Nation," thus meaning that the current trend towards secularism represents an unacceptable break with our own history? According to the Religious Right, the answers to these questions are an unqualified "Yes."
School Prayer: the Courts, the Congress and the First Amendment
School Prayer: The First Amendment says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...," but what exactly did the authors mean by that? Did they simply mean that an official state church should not be established, as members of the Religious Right argue?
School Prayer: The First Amendment says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...," but what exactly did the authors mean by that? Did they simply mean that an official state church should not be established, as members of the Religious Right argue?
Jews and the American Public Square: Debating Religion
Jews in America have played a crucial role in the development of the American understanding of the separation of church and state. They have been involved in test-case litigation, filing amicus curiae briefs, and influencing legal scholarship. How and why has this role developed, and how do Jews themselves perceive it?
Jews in America have played a crucial role in the development of the American understanding of the separation of church and state. They have been involved in test-case litigation, filing amicus curiae briefs, and influencing legal scholarship. How and why has this role developed, and how do Jews themselves perceive it?
Law and Religion
For most Americans, the relationship between law and religion is limited almost exclusively to the question of the separation of church and state. That is not, however, the true extent of the relationship, as demonstrated in this recent anthology of articles.
For most Americans, the relationship between law and religion is limited almost exclusively to the question of the separation of church and state. That is not, however, the true extent of the relationship, as demonstrated in this recent anthology of articles.