Religion as a Public Good: Jews and Other Americans on Religion in the Public Square

by Alan Mittleman The Jewish Theological Se (Editor), Michael Broyde (Contribution by), Erwin Chemerinsky (Contribution by), Marc Dollinger (Contribution by), Elliot N. Dorff (Contribution by)

Overview

Religion as a Public Good: Jews and Other Americans on Religion in the Public Square explores the often controversial topic of how religion ought to relate to American public life. The sixteen distinguished contributors, both Jewish and Christian, reflect on the topic out of their own disciplines—social ethics, political theory, philosophy, law, history, theology, and sociology. and take a stand based on their religious convictions and political beliefs. The volume is at once scholarly and committed, polemic and civil, reflective and activist. Written in the shadow of 9/11, it invites a new consideration of how religion enhances democratic public life with full awareness of the dangers that religion can sometimes pose. The volume is polemical, as befits the topic, but also civil, as befits a dialogue about an issue of profound significance for democratic citizenship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742531253
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/09/2003
Pages:	346
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 9.02(h) x 1.02(d)

About the Author

Alan Mittleman is professor of religion at Muhlenberg College. He served as director of the Jews and the American Public Square project and edited Jewish Polity and American Civil Society and Jews and the American Public Square.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Liberal Social Contract and the Privatization of Religion Chapter 3 "A Proper Blessing?": The Jew and the American Public Square Chapter 4 The Theological-Political Predicament of American Jewry Chapter 5 The Probable Persistence of American Jewish Liberalism Chapter 6 The Need for a Wall Separating Church and State: Why the Establishment Clause is So Important for Jews and Why Jews are So Important for the Establishment Clause Chapter 7 American Jewry, Pre- and Post-9/11 Chapter 8 Traditional Judaism and American Citizenship Chapter 9 A Jewish Policy on Church-State Relations Chapter 10 Jewish Law and American Public Policy: A Principled Jewish Law View and Some Practical Jewish Observations Chapter 11 Religious Diversity and the Common Good Chapter 12 Religion and the Public Good Chapter 13 Judaism Influencing American Public Philosophy Chapter 14 9/11 and the Aftershocks: Rethinking American Secularism and Religious Pluralism Chapter 15 The Jew in the American Public Square Chapter 16 From China to Jersey City: Religious Pluralism, Religious Liberty, and Human Rights Chapter 17 Afterword: Looking Forward: From Jewish Interest to Judaic Principle

Editorial Reviews

This first-rate collection of freshly-commissioned essays that range across a wide spectrum of opinion addresses a vitally important and timely question: How should religious adherents, and specifically engaged Jews, draw upon their faith traditions as they participate in American public discourse?

Jack Wertheimer

Alan Mittleman is to be commended for this collection of essays where some of the country's best thinkers debate the implications of Religion as a Public Good. This lively volume belongs in the library of all who are concerned about religious freedom.

Mary Ann Glendon

These essays are a valuable contribution to a topic of significant importance to American Jews and to all who are interested in the distinctive American interplay of diverse religious traditions and civil life. Recommended.

Choice

[The contributors] write seriously and well on the question of religion as a public good.

Alan Mittleman is to be commended for this collection of essays where some of the country's best thinkers debate the implications of Religion as a Public Good. This lively volume belongs in the library of all who are concerned about religious freedom.

Jews are the chosen people in what Lincoln called an almost chosen nation. This important book describes the intriguing ways in which many are rethinking what it means to be Jewish in a dominantly Christian society. The potential consequences should be welcomed by all Americans.

These essays are a valuable contribution to a topic of significant importance to American Jews and to all who are interested in the distinctive American interplay of diverse religious traditions and civil life. Recommended.

This first-rate collection of freshly-commissioned essays that range across a wide spectrum of opinion addresses a vitally important and timely question: How should religious adherents, and specifically engaged Jews, draw upon their faith traditions as they participate in American public discourse?

This remarkable volume presents a strikingly diverse range of views on church-state issues. It also contains much original survey information and other fresh empirical findings. Whatever one's perspective on religion's social and civic role, this balanced, lively, and timely volume will enrich and challenge it.

From the Publisher

This remarkable volume presents a strikingly diverse range of views on church-state issues. It also contains much original survey information and other fresh empirical findings. Whatever one’s perspective on religion’s social and civic role, this balanced, lively, and timely volume will enrich and challenge it.

John J. DiIulio Jr.

Jews are the chosen people in what Lincoln called an almost chosen nation. This important book describes the intriguing ways in which many are rethinking what it means to be Jewish in a dominantly Christian society. The potential consequences should be welcomed by all Americans.

Rev. Richard John Neuhaus

These essays are a valuable contribution to a topic of significant importance to American Jews and to all who are interested in the distinctive American interplay of diverse religious traditions and civil life. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

[The contributors] write seriously and well on the question of religion as a public good.

First Things

These essays are a valuable contribution to a topic of significant importance to American Jews and to all who are interested in the distinctive American interplay of diverse religious traditions and civil life. Recommended.

CHOICE