An anthology of essays on the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. It addresses both the historical debate surrounding the original understanding of this constitutional provision as well as the controversies regarding its interpretation and application by the courts.

The book is organised around three central areas. First, several articles provide divergent accounts of the history of the Establishment Clause from pre-Constitutional colonial America to the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment. Second, various perspectives are presented on government endorsement of religious messages, typically through state sponsored religious displays or state directed prayer.Third, a range of viewpoints addresses the issue of government funding of religious institutions providing educational or social services, either through indirect aid (vouchers) or direct grants. An introduction to each section provides a concise overview of the development of the case law so that readers will be familiar with key rulings and legal tests the courts have employed. With a focus on broad themes and core ideas, this excellent collection of articles will be of great use to both undergraduate and law students (and their professors), as well as lay readers interested in the history of the Constitution, Establishment Clause, and current debates surrounding its interpretation.

Supreme Court Justices on the History of the Establishment Clause
The Nonpreferentialism Debate
The Establishment Clause as a Federalism Mandate
The Complex Background of the Establishment Clause
Direct Aid
Indirect Aid o Vouchers
Charitable Choice &
Social Welfare Services by Faith-Based Providers
Government, Religion &
Culture: An Overview
Religious Equality &
Religious Endorsements
Coercion &
Establishment
Constitution of the United States of America.