|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Excerpt from Chapter 1 Excerpt from The Myth of Christian America by Mark. W. Whitten It is within the context of a commitment to church-state separation as a necessary and constitutional means to religious liberty that modern jurisprudence of the First Amendment must be appreciated. Neither the Supreme Court nor advocates of church-state separation have purposed to deny religious liberty in their interpretations of the First Amendment. Church-state separationists are, however, properly recognized to oppose efforts on the part of religious majorities or powerful and militant minorities who seek to maintain or achieve privileged status or special benefits from government under the guise of "free exercise." Interpretation of the First Amendment in terms of church-state separation is rightfully seen as a bulwark against any attempt by any group, Christian or otherwise, to deny religious liberty to any citizen or religion, seeking "religious liberty for me, but not for thee." |
|
|
|