Religion in America
Religion in America | Special Legal Protections Are Necessary to Ensure Religious Freedom
In 1993 Congress passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). RFRA established that general state and federal laws could not impose “substantial” burdens on religious exercise unless there was a “compelling” state interest. In 1997, however, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress had exceeded its constitutional authority in passing this law. The following viewpoint is taken from testimony given by Marc D. Stern before Congress in hearings following the Supreme Court’s 1997 ruling. Stern is a lawyer with the American Jewish Congress. He argues that RFRA served as a useful...
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- Introduction
-
Is America a Religious Nation?
- Chapter 1 Preface
- America Was Founded on Christian Principles
- America Was Not Founded on Christian Principles
- Americans Are a Religious People
- Americans Are Turning Away from Organized Religion
- Elements of American Society Are Hostile to Religious Believers
- American Society Is Hostile to Religious Nonbelievers
- Periodical Bibliography
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Can Religion Solve America’s Social Problems?
- Chapter 2 Preface
- Religion Can Solve America’s Social Problems
- Religion May Not Solve America’s Social Problems
- Religious Organizations Can Help Solve Social Problems
- Religious Organizations Cannot Solve Social Problems
- The Government Should Fund Faith-Based Social Services
- The Government Should Not Fund Faith-Based Social Services
- Periodical Bibliography
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What Should Be Done to Accommodate Religious Freedom in America?
- Chapter 3 Preface
- The U.S. Constitution Should Be Amended to Protect Religious Liberty
- The U.S. Constitution Already Protects Religious Liberty
- Special Legal Protections Are Necessary to Ensure Religious Freedom
- Special Legal Protections Are Not the Best Way to Ensure Religious Freedom
- Parents Must Provide Necessary Medical Treatment for Children Regardless of Religious Belief
- Parents Who Withhold Children’s Medical Treatment Because of Religious Beliefs Should Not Be Punished
- The American Military Should Stop Sanctioning the Wicca Religion
- The American Military Should Not Ban the Wicca Religion
- Periodical Bibliography
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What Role Should Religion Play in America’s Public Schools?
- Chapter 4 Preface
- Public Schools Should Include More Religion in the Curriculum
- Public Schools Should Not Include More Religion in the Curriculum
- School Prayers Are Unfair to Students
- Restrictions on School Prayer Are Unfair to Students
- Schools Should Post the Ten Commandments to Teach Morality
- Schools Should Not Post the Ten Commandments to Teach Morality
- Organizations to Contact
- Bibliography
- Copyright
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