Synopses & Reviews
Church-state relations are becoming more and more critical. Deepening controversies over church-state relations, the increasing religious pluralism of American society, and the changing makeup of the Supreme Court are forcing a rethinking of approaches to church and state in the public policy realm. Stephen Monsma offers a new approach rooted in structural pluralism as a normative way to understand church-state relations. He suggests that the government should use a principle of positive neutrality in handling church-state relations. He integrates historical, theoretical, social, and legal perspectives and writes in a lively manner for interdisciplinary audiences of students, scholars, and general readers.
This study provides an historical background of church and state relations in American society and discusses the development of church-state theory and practice. The author argues that confusions today can be traced back to flaws in the disestablishment settlement of the eighteenth century, flaws which have come to light in the twentieth century. He looks at this pluralist society and the concept of positive neutrality and of religious freedom historically and theoretically and then applies his approach to current issues relating to national policy and Supreme Court decision-making.
Synopsis
A basic study for understanding complex and heated controversies today in church-state relations and the current rethinking of Supreme Court decisions and public policy.
Synopsis
Church-state relations are becoming more and more critical. Current controversies over public policies, changing societal attitudes, and the changing character of the Supreme Court have led to a rethinking of Court decisions and public policy. Monsma offers a new approach integrating historical, theoretical, social and legal perspectives and a principle of "positive neutrality" in the handling of church-state relations. This basic study is written in a lively manner and covers major questions and current issues for broad inter-disciplinary audiences.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Church and State in American Society
The Present: Church-State Theory and Practice
The Past as Prologue: The Development of Church-State Theory and Practice
Back to Basics: The Pluralist Understanding of Society
Positive Neutrality: Religious Freedom in a Free Society
Positive Neutrality in the Political Arena
Bibliography
Index