by Dianne Kirby (2003)
"This collection provides the first systematic examination of the role of religion in the Cold War. As the 'War on Terror', with its profound religious implications, is increasingly perceived as the 'new Cold War', it is more imperative still to understand the political influence of religion and its role in the international arena.". "This specially commissioned new research and scholarship adds a whole new dimension to the cumulative process of Cold War scholarship, showing why religion is a key Cold War variable. It provides new perspectives and crucial insights into the ubiquitous, multi-dimensional conflict that dominated the latter half of the twentieth century."--BOOK JACKET.
Robert Booth Fowler, Allen D. Hertzke
"Fowler and Hertzke provide a lively and straightforward treatment of the politics of religion in American public life today. They provide the historical and sociological context, as well as the range of strategic choices open to different religious actors, to enable the reader to reach informed and balanced judgments about the role of religion in politics."--BOOK JACKET.
Yves Blomme
A la charnière des XIXe et XXe siècles, trois évêques français, réputés libéraux, allaient adopter une position minoritaire lors de la crise moderniste, ainsi qu’à l’occasion de la Séparation de l’Église et de l’État. L’un d’eux, Mgr Émile Le Camus (à La Rochelle), engagé de longue date dans le mouvement biblique catholique débutant, n’avait eu de cesse de tenter de parvenir à l’épiscopat dans le but d’entreprendre la rénovation du catholicisme par la réforme des études dans les séminaires. Parvenu à ses fins, il aura surtout à faire face à la crise ouverte entre l’Église et la République, dans laquelle il se démarquera encore en appelant de ses vŒux la Séparation.
Steven H. Shiffrin
"In The Religious Left and Church-State Relations, noted constitutional law scholar Steven Shiffrin argues that the religious left, not the secular left, is best equipped to lead the battle against the religious right on questions of church and state in America today. Explaining that the chosen rhetoric of secular liberals is poorly equipped to argue against religious conservatives, Shiffrin shows that all progressives, religious and secular, must appeal to broader values promoting religious liberty. He demonstrates that the separation of church and state serves to protect religions from political manipulation while tight connections between church and state compromise the integrity of religious institutions.Shiffrin discusses the pluralistic foundations of the religion clauses in the First Amendment and asserts that the clauses cannot be confined to the protection of liberty, equality, or equal liberty. He explores the constitutional framework of religious liberalism, applying it to controversial examples, including the Pledge of Allegiance, the government's use of religious symbols, the teaching of evolution in public schools, and school vouchers. Shiffrin examines how the approaches of secular liberalism toward church-state relations have been misguided philosophically and politically, and he illustrates why theological arguments hold an important democratic position--not in courtrooms or halls of government, but in the public dialogue. The book contends that the great issue of American religious politics is not whether religions should be supported at all, but how religions can best be strengthened and preserved." -- Publisher's information.
Karin Fry
"Many of America's political debates stem from media-constructed opposition between the religious right and secular left. However, the contentious dialogue between two seemingly-contrasting camps is based upon assumptions and stereotypes, rather than facts: the Christian right misrepresents the left as a movement inspired by moral relativism, while the left erroneously frames the Christian right as theocratically-driven. Beyond Religious Right and Secular Left Rhetoric uncovers the actual differences between these groups, examining how both movements have similar conceptual histories. By stressing their oft-ignored similarities (promotion of religious freedom, freedom of conscience, and separation of church and state), the book seeks to better inform partisans and the public at-large in order to move the debate beyond assumptions"--