Books with title Religious Freedom

One of the core debates present at the founding of the United States has involved citizens' freedom to worship as they please. It is an issue that remains relevant today. This fascinating collection reveals religious liberty during the nation's earliest days, how religion influenced Sunday laws and liquor laws, and persecution faced by sects such as Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses. Areas of church and state conflict include school prayer, gay rights, and abortion. Modern day issues of transgender rights and travel bans to majority Islamic countries round out religious liberty debates that continue to evolve through the twenty-first century. Media literacy terms and questions will engage readers to consider the topic beyond the text.

The United States was founded, in part, on religious freedom--the idea that government should not be involved in the ways that people worship their deity or practice their religion. However, because historically most Americans belonged to Christian denominations, often religious symbols were incorporated into public buildings and government activities. In recent years, however, the legitimacy of these symbols has been challenged in the courts. The essays in this book examine major issues related to religious freedom today. The Contemporary Issues series gives young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with chapters that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.

The freedom to practice religion without government interference predates the founding of the United States. The Puritans and other religions came to the New World partly so they could openly worship without persecution. While persecution certainly still existed, this idea became a big part of the First Amendment to the Constitution. This detailed volume introduces readers to the right to freedom of religion through historical context, challenges to that right, and Supreme Court rulings on cases dealing with freedom of religion. The main content is unbiased and written in clear language appropriate for readers exploring this important topic.