The Religious Left and Church-State Relations

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.

"This is an extraordinarily well-written, original, and persuasive book that offers an eloquent plea for recognition of the multiple values of the religion clauses, emphasizes the civil values of public schools, and shows how religious perspectives can yield compelling reasons to separate church and state. It will greatly enrich the understanding of anyone who cares about religious liberty."--Kent Greenawalt, Columbia University Law School

"Building on the recent invigoration of progressive religion, Shiffrin's crisp and tightly-argued call for a renewed liberal support for religious freedom in law and politics is a welcome addition to the growing scholarship on the progressive resurgence."--Sarah Barringer Gordon, University of Pennsylvania

"This well-researched and thoroughly documented book is insightful throughout. Its main argument concerning the religious left is important, provocative, imaginative, and cogently argued. Shiffrin engages and confronts competing views, not only of the Supreme Court but of prominent scholars, and he includes revealing comparative insights between the experiences of the United States and Europe."--Daniel O. Conkle, Indiana University Maurer School of Law

"Passionate, deeply learned, and timely, this book proves that something integral to American democracy is lost if we overlook the complexity, ambiguity, and in-between positions too often forsaken in declamatory public debates about political religions. It is an unquestionable contribution to long-standing conversations about religious jurisprudence, constitutional debates, religion and politics, and American democracy."--Jason C. Bivins, North Carolina State University