The separation of church and state : writings on a fundamental freedom by America's founders
"Certain basic issues will always be debated in our country, even without a presidential election at stake. One of the most important of these is the separation of church and state. On this issue, Americans constantly interpret and reinterpret the intentions of America"s founders. Now, they will have a collection of the most eloquent writings of the founders to help them understand the original reasoning behind this separation. Forrest Church, well-known writer and religious leader, son of former senator Frank Church, has used his considerable knowledge about this subject to bring together these writings for modern readers. Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, George Washington, Patrick Henry--these are just some of the leaders who wrote movingly about the need to separate religion and government. This concise primer will get past the rhetoric that surrounds the current debate and deliver instead specific writings by the original authors of the Constitution."--Publisher description
History
1 online resource (xv, 160 pages)
9780807097076, 0807097071
846844585
Introduction
In defense of religious liberty / Patrick Henry
The rights of the colonists / Samuel Adams
Baptist appeals for religious liberty / Isaac Backus
Colonial declarations of rights : Virginia / George Mason
Colonial declarations of rights : Massachusetts / John Adams
Memorial of the Hanover presbytery / Caleb Wallace
Notes on the state of Virginia / Thomas Jefferson
Memorial and remonstrance / James Madison
Against religious assessments / James Madison
Virginia statute for religious freedom / Thomas Jefferson
The landholder, no. 7 / Oliver Ellsworth
The rights of conscience / John Leland
Letters on religious laws / George Washington
Farewell address (selections) / George Washington
Treaty of Tripoli, Article 11
A wall of separation / Thomas Jefferson
Epilogue. A detached memorandum / James Madison
Appendix. Of liberty of conscience and civil establishment of religion / Richard Price