Church and State in America (Religion in American Life) - Hardcover

Gaustad, Edwin S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195106792 ISBN 13: 9780195106794

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

Should prayer be allowed in public schools? Should biology be taught according to Darwin or to the book of Genesis? Why is polygamy against the law? These are just a few of the questions that touch our lives directly and emerge out of the separation of church and state. In this volume, one of the most distinguished scholars of American religious history traces the complicated relationship of church and state from the early colonial period, through the unique American experiment in religious liberty after the Revolution, to the ongoing debate over religious issues in our schools and communities. Edwin Gaustad relates entertaining and edifying accounts of headline-grabbing court trials involving polygamy, witchcraft, and church taxation. He quotes moving passages from the speeches and writings of American Presidents and Supreme Court justices to prove that, to paraphrase Michelangelo, "religious liberty is made up of a series of trifles, but religious liberty is no trifle."

General Editors: Jon Butler and Harry S. Stout, both at Yale University

Religion in American Life explores the evolution, character, and dynamics of religion in America from 1500 to the present day. Written by distinguished religious historians, these books weave together the varying stories that compose the religious fabric of the United States, from Puritanism to alternative religious practices. Primary source material coupled with handsome illustrations and lucid text make these books essential in any exploration of Americas diverse nature. Each book includes a chronology, suggestions for further reading, and index.

About this title

About the Author:

Edwin S. Gaustad, Emeritus Professor, University of California, Riverside.

Review:

"Provocative and illuminating book... Gaustad, a professor emeritus at UC Riverside, deftly surveys the history of religious freedom in Americain 150 richly illustrated pages... The long line of freedom of religion cases [is] so effectively summarized by Gaustad.."--Los Angeles Times

"In a balanced account, Gaustad... treats the (often contentious) role of religion in Colonial America and examines the significant Supreme Court cases that have helped define the place of religion with regard to the state.... Serious treatment of the subject at hand in a way that makes [it] attractive for popular reading by combining text, photographs and original documents."--Library Journal

"Every public school library in America needs this book. No church or synagogue library can be considered complete without it. It should be on law school curricula... Every pastor who gives a hoot... should read it, recommend it. Every teacher who is unwilling to be left at the mercy of 'dumbed down'... textbooks can assert a little independence by reading it."--Report from the Capitol

"A lucid primer for understanding today's debates on religious freedom."--The Christian Science Monitor

"Objective and thoughtful."--The Horn Book Guide

"Some of the stickiest, most hotly argued questions in American politics get full coverage in this historical account... While using colorful, evocative language to describe the conflicts, [Gaustad] succeeds admirably in maintaining a fair, objective viewpoint. He presents the issues clearly, without distracting details, in a lively style that is thoroughly consistent with the topic. The book's design includes plenty of white space for readability, and the numerous black-and-white photos have informative captions."--School Library Journal

"Church and State ought to be required reading for those on both sides of the First Amendment divide.... Virtually all the important church-state cases are covered in this volume."--The Wall Street Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0195106792
• ISBN 13: 9780195106794
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160