Divided by God

A Timely Exploration of the Profound Conflict Between Religion and Politics in America Even before George W. Bush gained reelection by wooing religiously devout "values voters," it was clear that the relationship between church and state in the United States had reached a crisis point. In Divided by God, Noah Feldman shows that this crisis is as old as the nation itself—and offers a compelling look at how it might be resolved. In today's religiously diverse society, the implications of the paradox between increasing religious commitment and political involvement are more pressing than ever. Feldman makes clear that throughout our nation's history, diversity has forced us to redraw the lines in the church-state divide. With vivid, dramatic chapters, he describes how conflicts over the Bible, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the teaching of evolution have been resolved through appeals to shared values of liberty, equality, and freedom of conscience. Proposing a brilliant solution to our current crisis that honors religious diversity while respecting the long-held conviction that religion and state should remain separate, Divided by God speaks to today's headlines even as it tells the story of a long-running conflict that has shaped the American identity. A must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of religion and politics in the United States.