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Sanctioning Religion?: Politics, Law, and Faith-Based Public Services

David K. Ryden and Jeffrey Polet, editors
Sanctioning Religion?: Politics, Law, and Faith-Based Public Services
ISBN: 978-1-58826-319-3
$75.00
ISBN: 978-1-58826-343-8
$27.50
2005/237 pages/LC: 2004019656
"Highly recommended. General readers and upper-division undergraduates through professionals."—Choice

"A superlative book. This very useful collection of case studies provides detailed descriptions of exactly what such imprecise constitutional provisions as 'establishment,' 'excessive entanglement,' and 'free exercise' mean in the trenches."—Ted Jelen, University of Nevada Las Vegas

"The authors offer important new insight into a subject too often marked by overheated rhetoric and exaggerated claims. Abstract theoretical issues come alive in the case studies, which are made all the more useful by the editors' discussion of the constitutional and historical background to government/religion collaboration." —Stephen Monsma, Calvin College

DESCRIPTION

Does federal funding of a church's welfare-to-work program constitute government endorsement of a particular religion? Do religious organizations that accept public funds lose the legal autonomy needed to preserve their religious identity and mission? Wading into the constitutional battle over whether government can/should enlist the help of religious organizations in delivering social services, Sanctioning Religion investigates the potential—as well as the perils—of mixing religion and politics in the United States.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David K. Ryden is associate professor of political science at Hope College. His publications include Representation in Crisis: The Constitution, Interest Groups, and Political Parties and (as coeditor) Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush's Faith-Based Initiative. Jeffrey Polet is associate professor of political science at Hope College.

CONTENTS

  • Introduction: Faith-Based Initiatives in the Limelight—the Editors.
  • Religion, the Constitution, and Charitable Choice—the Editors.
  • CONSTRAINTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE.
  • Religion, Rehabilitation, and the Criminal Justice System—S. Kennedy.
  • When Does Mentoring Become Proselytizing?—D.K. Ryden.
  • A Church-Based Welfare-to-Work Partnership—H.R. Unruh and J.W. Sinha.
  • THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
  • Introduction the Editors.
  • Should Catholic Charities Have to Pay for Contraceptive Drugs?—J. Orr.
  • Federal Funding and Religion-Based Employment Decisions—M. Rogers.
  • BALANCING PRAGMATIC AND THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
  • Introduction—the Editors.
  • Serving the Inner City: Social Programs in Black Churches—F.A. Pryor III and D.K. Ryden.
  • Drawing on Tradition: New Jersey's Statewide Initiative—M.C. Segers.
  • Congregations as Service Providers: Devolution in California—J. Keyes- Williams.
  • CONCLUSION.
  • Past, Present, Future: Final Reflections on Faith-Based Programs—the Editors.