Overview

Now in paperback, a primer of essential writings about one of the cornerstones of our democracy by the original authors of the Constitution, edited by preeminant liberal theologian Forrest Church. Now in paperback, a primer of essential writings about one of the cornerstones of our democracy by the original authors of the Constitution, edited by preeminant liberal theologian Forrest Church. Americans will never stop debating the question of church-state separation, and such debates invariably lead back to the nation's beginnings and the founders' intent. The Separation of Church and State presents a basic collection of the founders' teachings on this topic. This concise primer gets past the rhetoric that surrounds the current debate, placing the founders' vivid writings on religious liberty in historical perspective. Edited and with running commentary by Forrest Church, this important collection informs anyone curious about the original blueprint for our country and its government.

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9780807077474

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Reviews

All men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.--Thomas Jefferson@lt;br@gt;@lt;br@gt; This volume is an indispensable guide to the proper role of religion in the American democracy. --Arthur Schlesinger Jr.@lt;br@gt;@lt;br@gt; No longer will the earnest citizen need to rely on second- and third-hand versions of how separation of church and state came about-or what it really means. @lt;i@gt;The Separation of Church and State@lt;/i@gt; is an invaluable handbook of primary sources for the perplexed-and the concerned-in today's whirlpool of contrary opinions and strident voices. --Edwin S. Gaustad, author of @lt;i@gt;Proclaim Liberty throughout All the Land: a History of Church and State in America @lt;/i@gt;@lt;br@gt;@lt;br@gt; This is a splendid reader on the 'church and state' argument from Patrick Henry to Thomas Jefferson. Superbly edited and ann

A useful little volume . . . The separation of church and state is important, this collection suggests, because that's how the country was conceived. -Jeff Sharlet, The Revealer This brief primer includes some of the most eloquent and cogent arguments by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, George Washington, [and] Patrick Henry that will help a contemporary audience understand the original reasoning behind the separation of church and state. -Catholic Opinion No longer will the earnest citizen need to rely on second- and third-hand versions of how separation of church and state came about-or what it really means. The Separation of Church and State is an invaluable handbook of primary sources for the perplexed-and the concerned-in today's whirlpool of contrary opinions and strident voices. -Edwin S. Gaustad, author of Proclaim Liberty throughout All the Land: A History of Church and State in America

A useful little volume . . . The separation of church and state is important, this collection suggests, because that's how the country was conceived. --Jeff Sharlet, The Revealer <br> This brief primer includes some of the most eloquent and cogent arguments by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, George Washington, [and] Patrick Henry that will help a contemporary audience understand the original reasoning behind the separation of church and state. -- Catholic Opinion <br> No longer will the earnest citizen need to rely on second- and third-hand versions of how separation of church and state came about--or what it really means. The Separation of Church and State is an invaluable handbook of primary sources for the perplexed--and the concerned--in today's whirlpool of contrary opinions and strident voices. --Edwin S. Gaustad, author of Proclaim Liberty throughout All the Land: A History of Church and State in America <p> From the Hardcover edition. n Fr

Author Information

Forrest Church (1948-2009) served for almost three decades as senior minister and was minister of public theology at All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City. He wrote or edited twenty-five books, including Love & Death.

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