Religion and the American constitutional experiment / John Witte, Jr. and Joel A. Nichols. [print]

Includes bibliographies and index.

The American experiment in historical context -- The theology and politics of the religion clauses -- The essential rights and liberties of religion -- Forging the First Amendment religion clauses -- Religious liberty in the states before 1947 and the creation of a new national law on religious liberty -- The free exercise of religion -- Modern establishment law: mapping the doctrinal terrain -- Religion and public education: no establishment of religion, but equal access for religion -- Government and religious education: accommodation, separation, and equal treatment -- Religion and public life -- Religious organizations and the law -- Toward an integration of religious liberty: the American experiment in international context -- Drafts of federal religious clauses (1787-1789) -- State constitutional provisions on religion (as of 1947) -- United States Supreme Court decisions relating to religious liberty.

This updated edition of this title provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of the history, theory, law, and comparative analysis of American religious liberty from the earliest colonial period through the most recent Supreme Court cases. The authors present balanced discussions of controversial issues, including the funding of religious schools and charities and displaying religious symbols on government property. Three chapters new to this edition cover the free exercise of religion, religion and public life, and religious organizations and the law. In addition, the authors address seven new cases, and an expanded concluding chapter places the American experience in a global context by comparing contemporary American religious liberty law with international human rights standards.

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