Law, Religion, and Public Policy

Book excerpt: Differing definitions of religion are fundamental determinant of the debate over religious freedom in the United States, argues Stronks (political science, Whitworth College). Looking at 200 years of judicial interpretation she discusses how judges h ave defined religion in relation to the provisions of the First Amendment of the Constitution. She then turns to the effect the differing definitions have on judicial rulings about the policy areas of religion in public schools, regulation of employment decisions by religious institutions, and public aid to private institutions, such as President Bush's "faith-based" initiative. She argues that confusion over the parameters of religious freedom stem from the failure of theorists to carefully define the nature of religion. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.