Other editions of book Church and State in America

In this second edition, Edwin S. Gaustad traces the conflicted and often difficult relationship between religion and government throughout American history, beginning with colonists' concerns after the Revolution and continuing through the 1990s and the current debate about religion in schools. This new edition has additional and revised material bringing the book up to date with regard to the issues facing the Supreme Court today and includes an updated chronology and further reading and additional photographs.

In this second edition, Edwin S. Gaustad traces the conflicted and often difficult relationship between religion and government throughout American history, beginning with colonists' concerns after the Revolution and continuing through the 1990s and the current debate about religion in schools. This new edition has additional and revised material bringing the book up to date with regard to the issues facing the Supreme Court today and includes an updated chronology and further reading and additional photographs.

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.

In this second edition, Edwin S. Gaustad traces the conflicted and often difficult relationship between religion and government throughout American history, beginning with colonists' concerns after the Revolution and continuing through the 1990s and the current debate about religion in schools. This new edition has additional and revised material bringing the book up to date with regard to the issues facing the Supreme Court today and includes an updated chronology and further reading and additional photographs.