Church and State in America (Religion in American Life) - Hardcover

Gaustad, Edwin S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195106792 ISBN 13: 9780195106794

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Edwin S. Gaustad, Emeritus Professor, University of California, Riverside.

Reviews

Grade 10 Up-Some of the stickiest, most hotly argued questions in American politics get full coverage in this historical account of the relationship between church and state. Gaustad presents the issues in chronological order, beginning with the export of European religious ideas to North America and concluding with some recent Supreme Court decisions. Like other commentators, the author tells the story through accounts of the major rulings of the high court. While using colorful, evocative language to describe the conflicts, he succeeds admirably in maintaining a fair, objective viewpoint. He presents the issues clearly, without distracting details, in a lively style that is thoroughly consistent with the topic. The book's design includes plenty of white space for readability, and the numerous black-and-white photos have informative captions. Few other books on this subject provide the depth of information given here. Victoria Sherrow's Separation of Church and State (Watts, 1992; o.p.) covers the issues in slightly less depth but with a bit more emphasis on the people involved. Kathlyn Gay's Church and State (Millbrook, 1992) goes beyond Supreme Court cases to describe how these controversies have effected everyday life and uses language in a way more likely to appeal to most high school students. Both of these titles have been made obsolescent by current events, though they are still useful for history and sociology.
Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds,
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

These are the first of Oxford's new 17-volume "Religion in American Life" series, aimed primarily at young adults but of value to older students as well. Three of the volumes will treat the topic chronologically, nine will consider the various religious traditions, four will be topical, and the last volume will be a biographical supplement and series index. Jon Butler (American studies and religion, Yale) and Henry S. Stout (American Christianity, Yale) serve as series editors. The books offer serious treatments of the subjects at hand in a way that makes them attractive for popular reading by combining text, photographs, and original documents. In a balanced account, Gaustad (history, emeritus, Univ. of California, Riverside) treats the (often contentious) role of religion in Colonial America and examines the significant Supreme Court cases that have helped define the place of religion with regard to the state. Claudia Bushman (American studies, Columbia) and Richard Bushman (history, Columbia)?both practicing Mormons?offer a clear, concise, and unbiased account of Mormon history, especially as it relates to the issue of church and state. They are honest about the number of disaffected Mormons and examine problems within Mormon history, such as the relationship with Native Americans. This series, written in a style that would be accessible to bright high-schoolers, promises to be an excellent supplement to textbooks that too often downplay the central role religon has played in American history.?Augustine J. Curley, O.S.B., Newark Abbey, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0195106792
• ISBN 13: 9780195106794
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160