During the past half-century, most American Jews have believed that religion should be rigorously separated from public life: the more thoroughly secular the society, the safer it is for Jews. But now, many are having second thoughts. Jewish leaders are increasingly arguing for "equal time" and "equal protection" in laws and for government policies that encourage free exercise of religion rather than simply preventing its establishment. Forty Jewish writers, professors, lawyers, rabbis and policy analysts offer widely varying perspectives on what the role of religion in American public life should be, and describe how, if at all, their opinion has changed. Among the contributors are Hadley, Arkes, Jerold S. Auerbach, Midge Decter, Abraham Foxman, Joshua Haberman, Milton Himmelfarb, Michael Lerner, Alan Mittleman, David Novak, Cynthia Ozick, Dennis Prager, Earl Raab, Marc D. Stern, Aaron Wildavsky, and Ruth R. Wisse.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
What role should religion play in American public life? Until recent times, American Jewry has almost unanimously supported the "broad interpretation" of the First Amendment's establishment clause by advocating a rigid separation or "wall" between religion and the state. A major example of this thinking would be the "naked public square" (i.e., no creches or Hanukah menorahs on public display anywhere). Some Jewish groups are now rethinking this absolutist concept because of their concern with the rapidly growing secularization and "paganism" of contemporary American society. This provocative collection of essays, edited by rabbi-historian Dalin, presents the views, pro and con, of 38 prominent American Jewish intellectuals on this explosive issue. Surprisingly, several of these contributors present cogent arguments favoring a less rigid interpretation of the establishment clause. This excellent anthology is recommended for large collections.
- Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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