Religion & the First Amendment: History

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History of Religious Liberty in America

This outline summarizes the major issues and identifies individuals involved in influencing the role of religion in the U.S. (The First Amendment Center)

Timeline: Faith in America This timeline documents religious influence on the U.S. over the past 400 years. (PBS)

Historical Background

Endowed by Our Creator : The Birth of Religious Freedom in America by Michael I. Meyerson ISBN: 9780300166323

LAW GENERAL COLLECTION
KF4783 .M49 2012
Draws on writings and actions of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and others to investigate just how the framers of the Constitution envisioned religious freedom and how they intended it to operate in the new republic. Through their writings and their decisions, the framers affirmed respect for religious differences as a fundamental American value.

Founding Faith : How Our Founding Fathers Forged a Radical New Approach to Religious Liberty by Steven Waldman

ISBN: 9780812974744

GENERAL COLLECTION
BL640 .W35 2009
This book analyzes the founding from a middle of the road perspective, arguing that the nation was neither started as a "Christian nation," nor was it envisioned as a nation with a complete separation of church and state.

On Religious Liberty : Selections from the Works of Roger Williams by James Calvin Davis (Editor)

ISBN: 9780674026223

GENERAL COLLECTION
BV741 .W55 2008
Founder of Rhode Island, Williams conducted a lifelong debate over religious freedom with distinguished figures of the seventeenth century. This collection of his works is drawn from both his public and private writings. Also available in Ebook format

Ten Tortured Words : How the Founding Fathers Tried to Protect Religion in America--and What's Happened Since by Stephen Mansfield

ISBN: 9781595550842

LAW GENERAL COLLECTION
KF4865 .M29 2007
This book posits that the original interpretation of the establishment clause provided for true freedom of religion, but inaccurate modern interpretations have led to unnecessary restrictions on religion.

Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment, 2nd ed. by John Witte, Jr. ISBN: 9780813342313

LAW GENERAL COLLECTION
KF4783.Z9 W58 2005
Follows the American constitutional experiment in religious liberty.
2011 edition available in Ebook format

The Founding Fathers and the Place of Religion in America by Frank Lambert ISBN: 0691088292

GENERAL COLLECTION
BR516 .L29 2003
Follows the events and thinking that transformed the American community from settlers with explicitly religious aspirations, to a modern state whose commitment to the separation of church and state was reflected in its constitution, showing how religious freedom came to be recognized not merely as toleration of dissent but as a natural right to be enjoyed by all Americans.

The First Liberty : America's Foundation in Religious Freedom by William Lee Miller ISBN: 0878408991

GENERAL COLLECTION
BR516 .M543 2003
An exploration of the place of religious liberty and church and state in America.

Religion and the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 : Contributions to Original Intent by Derek H. Davis

ISBN: 0195133552

LAW GENERAL COLLECTION
KF4783 .D385 2000
Explores the fifteen-year experience of the Continental Congress (1774-1789) to discover the original intent of the framers of the Constitution.
Also available in Ebook format