Constitutional faith / Sanford Levinson ; with a new afterword by the author.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Levinson, Sanford, 1941-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Constitutional history--United States.

Constitutional history.

Constitutional law--United States.

Constitutional law.

Constitutional law--Religious aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (275 p.)

Edition:

With a New afterword by the author

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. ; Woodstock : Princeton University Press, 2011, c1988.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book examines the "constitutional faith" that has, since 1788, been a central component of American "civil religion." By taking seriously the parallel between wholehearted acceptance of the Constitution and religious faith, Sanford Levinson opens up a host of intriguing questions about what it means to be American. While some view the Constitution as the central component of an American religion that serves to unite the social order, Levinson maintains that its sacred role can result in conflict, fragmentation, and even war. To Levinson, the Constitution's value lies in the realm of the discourse it sustains: a uniquely American form of political rhetoric that allows citizens to grapple with every important public issue imaginable. In a new afterword, Levinson looks at the deepening of constitutional worship and attributes the current widespread frustrations with the government to the static nature of the Constitution.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE. The "Constitution" in American Civil Religion

CHAPTER TWO. The Moral Dimension of Constitutional Faith

CHAPTER THREE. Loyalty Oaths: The Creedal Affirmations of Constitutional Faith

CHAPTER FOUR. Constitutional "Attachment": Identifying the Content of One's Commitment

CHAPTER FIVE. The Law School, The Faith Community, And the Professing of Law

CHAPTER SIX. Conclusion: Adding One's Signature to the Constitution

NOTES

AFTERWORD TO THE 2011 EDITION

INDEX

Notes:

Paperback reissue, with a new afterword, 2011.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0-691-02321-2

1-283-29092-8

9786613290922

1-4008-3987-4

OCLC:

756484683