This important study compares and evaluates the nature of church-state relations in the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany, and England. The authors conclude that the American conception of church-state separation, with its traditional emphasis on avoiding government establishment of religion, actually discriminates against religious groups by denying religious organizations, particularly schools, access to government services provided to other organizations. The authors persuasively argue that the U.S. can learn a great deal from these other nations in promoting religious neutrality and the free exercise of religion. A book in the series Religious Forces in the Modern Political World, edited by Allen D. Hertzke.
Author Biography: Stephen V. Monsma is professor of political science at Pepperdine University and author of "When Sacred and Secular Mix: Religious Nonprofit Organizations and Public Money" (Rowman & Littlefield, 1996). J. Christopher Soper is assistant professor of political science at Pepperdine University.
Stephen V. Monsma is research fellow in the Paul Henry Institute at Calvin College and emeritus professor of political science at Pepperdine University. J. Christopher Soper is Blanche E. Seaver Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University.
Table of Contents
Introduction Chapter 1: The United States: Strict Separation under Fire Chapter 2: The Netherlands: Principled Pluralism Chapter 3: Australia: Pragmatic Pluralism Chapter 4: England: Partial Establishment Chapter 5: Germany: Partnership and Autonomy Chapter 6: Church and State in Pluralistic Democracies
What People are Saying About This
Ted G. Jelen
A marvelous book. The authors perform the rare and difficult feat of generating a genuinely cross-national analysis, while paying strict, detailed attention to the nuances of each country. After reading this book, no one will think about church-state relations in quite the same way. This book will change the manner in which church-state relations are contested in the United States, and is required reading for anyone, at any level.
Christian Smith
One of my favorite books on religion in public life. On a subject especially in need of light, insight, and balance, its very readable historical, legal, and comparative analyses are most enlightening and fair. I recommend it for college classes and as good reading for ordinary citizens.
Anthony Gill
Monsma and Soper provide one of the most detailed and best studies of the range of church-state relations in different liberal democracies. They explode the myth of church-state separation in several countries of Europe and make a persuasive case for allowing religion greater space in the public arena than exists in America.
