Faith in American public life / Melissa Rogers ; foreword by E. J. Dionne Jr.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rogers, Melissa, author.

Contributor:

Dionne, E. J., Jr., writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion and politics.

Physical Description:

xii, 338 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Waco, Texas : Baylor University Press, [2019]

Summary:

In Faith in American Public Life, Melissa Rogers--former Special Assistant to President Barack Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships--explores the role of religion in the public square and focuses on principles that define the relationship between government and religion. While the Constitution prohibits government-backed religion, it protects the rights of religious individuals and organizations to promote their faith. These twin principles have helped freedom and faith to flourish in the United States. At the same time, Rogers warns of current threats to religious freedom and pluralism in America, the most serious of which are rising hostility toward and attacks on religious minorities. Fear mongering regarding certain religions, races, and ethnicities and the use of violent imagery and dehumanizing language amount to throwing a match on dry kindling. Americans, Rogers argues, must take action to counter these threats. She also warns about efforts to shrink the constitutional bar on governmental establishment of religion and upset a balanced approach to free exercise issues. Faith in American Public Life offers suggestions for confronting these and other challenges. Rogers walks readers through settled and contested legal issues, providing an accessible guide to many of the most important and timely matters in this field. The legal rules are not perfect, she says, but they have established a framework that produces remarkable freedom and have helped to create a country where religion can be a powerful force for good. Through her knowledgeable analysis and practical recommendations for policymakers and religious leaders, Rogers inspires hope that the genius of the American system can be preserved and perfected and that efforts to find common ground can be renewed.

Contents:

Introduction: Religion's Role in American Public Life

Religion and the Constitution : Historical Origins

Religion and the Constitution : Some Key Concepts and Cases

Faith and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue : The Role of Religion in the White House

Religion, Policy, and Politics : Barring Religious Texts

Protecting Rights to Engage in Policy and Politics

Religious Expression on Government Property : Prohibiting Government Speech Endorsing Religion

Protecting Nongovernmental Religious Speech

Government Partnerships with Faith-Based Organizations : Creating Partnerships to Serve People in Need

Faith and Federal Funds : Supporting Secular, Not Religious, Activities

Religious Exemptions and Accommodations : Balancing Claims of Conscience with Other Interests

Faith and the Workplace : Respecting Religious Freedom in Employment

Religious Discrimination and Hate Crimes : Fighting Hatred and Bias

Protecting Freedom and Pluralism

Conclusion: A Crossroads for Faith in American Public Life.

Notes:

Includes "Index of United States supreme court cases and selected federal statutes" (pages 327-332).

Includes bibliographical references (pages 333-338).

ISBN:

9781481309707

1481309706

OCLC:

1099830789