| Why the Religious Right is Wrong About Separation of Church &State
by Robert Boston Book review by William B. Lindley
The religious right is wrong about a lot of things. This book discusses one of the more important ones, their error that strikes at the heart of religious liberty in the United States. The author is assistant director of communications for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization that has been going strong since 1947. I've been a member since 1961, so I've lived through some of the history that is covered in the book.There are quite a few books on the subject of keeping religion and government separate, including some put out by Americans United. Why this book? Why now? The reason is simple and clear. The religious right has become a lot smarter politically in recent years, and their influence has increased a lot, especially locally. Americans United used to be concerned mainly with Roman Catholic attempts to get taxpayer money for their schools. Other religious freedom issues didn't grab headlines, and the political atmosphere was mellower. In recent years the issues have proliferated, and the level of rage and hatred is up sharply. It is time for this book.While the book covers some issues that have been treated elsewhere, its special value lies in its coverage of topics that are newly important: the de facto Protestant establishment of religion in the 1800's; the extreme and dangerous Christian Reconstruction movement; up-to-date information on religious right groups and their specific issues; and practical suggestions for those who want to be active in the struggle for religious liberty. The religious right is attacking separation the way the creationists attack evolution: by dwelling on details and flaws in America's record of religious freedom. The book covers these details and rebuffs the attack. This painstaking work makes the book especially timely and worth having. Prometheus Press, ©1993, paperback, 257 pages, $14.95. 59 John Glenn Drive, Buffalo, New York 14228-2197 or Americans United, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
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