The challenge of pluralism
Subtitle: church and state in five democracies
By: by Stephen V. Monsma and J. Christopher Soper.
Contributors: Soper, J. Christopher.
Series: Religious forces in the modern political world
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Lanham, Md
Language: eng
Number of pages: 228
Subjects: Church and state -- History -- 20th century; Democracy -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- History -- 20th century; Religious pluralism -- Christianity -- History -- 20th century
Description: This 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 by other organizations. The authors persuasively argue that the United States can learn a great deal from these other nations in promoting religious neutrality and the free exercise of religion.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.