David K. Ryden and Jeffrey Polet, editors
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.
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.
"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
