A brilliant and urgent appraisal of one of the most profound conflicts of our time
Even before George W. Bush gained reelection by w... read full description
Even before George W. Bush gained reelection by w... read full description
reviews
Jun 30, 2010
Daniel
rated it: 
In late 2008, I read a book by Rob Boston on the separation of church and state. It focused specifically on how the Religious Right has hijacked this essential distinction for the wrong reasons, but came off sounding like a textbook and didn’t have a very compelling narrative. I found Noah Feldman’s Divided By God on Amazon and bought it hoping that it would have a more focused approach to the theme.
Unfortunately, it too was a bit pedagogic, but not to a fault. In discussing the sep More...
Unfortunately, it too was a bit pedagogic, but not to a fault. In discussing the sep More...
Feb 04, 2010
Gary
rated it: 
The author writes about all the church/state issues since the beginning of our country as well as the issues confronting us today and how to deal with them.
One such early story regarded how many jurisdictions would have a church tax. The government would collect taxes and then give to the denomination of the taxpayer’s choice. It was believed churches would die if they did not received tax money and it was further believed churches were important to society as they were the only inst More...
One such early story regarded how many jurisdictions would have a church tax. The government would collect taxes and then give to the denomination of the taxpayer’s choice. It was believed churches would die if they did not received tax money and it was further believed churches were important to society as they were the only inst More...
Feb 04, 2009
Yofish
rated it:
I liked the history of church/state stuff. Made sense and was interesting. Turns out that for a long time, it was driven by keeping the Catholics down. And originally, it was basically about making sure the gov't can't tax in order to support any one church. But his description of the way things are now, and was borderline insulted with some of his suggestions of where to go from here. (*He* gets to decide what should bother me??)
(Really 3.5.)
(Really 3.5.)
Mar 28, 2009
Richard
rated it:
Noah Feldman contributes some great perspectives about Church-State issues, including an important argument for judicial conservatism and retaining a careful financial separation of church and state that I whole-heartedly agree with. While in the end his legal suggestions are obviously not the entire solution to this problem, and he remains too liberal in some of his views, the book is certainly worth reading if only to get you thinking.
Apr 10, 2010
Linda
rated it:
This book was read as part of a non fiction book discussion group. A thought provoking book on how church and state can co-exist.
May 29, 2009
Tona
rated it:
Will be using this in a course this fall and really liked it. Very accessible and mercifully not especially biased.
Dec 17, 2009
Mary Ellen
rated it:
So basically, Feldman profffers that the answer to the problems causes by our church/state separation would be solved if only we: a) adhered to a strict separation in the legislative sense, but b) allowed for the free parade of religios symbols to be displayed in public spaces. In other words, don't use the words "In God We Trust" in federal currency, but let christmas trees, menorahs, and whatever else adorn the lawns in front of court houses.
It's ok. Interesting read but More...
It's ok. Interesting read but More...
Oct 08, 2010
Alicia
rated it:
A bit too dry at times, but overall extremely informative and well written. I learned exactly what I was hoping to learn from it, but the textbook-style writing made it hard to get into.
Sep 10, 2010
Eric
rated it:
An instructive read for those interested in the topic. The author reviews the history of the church-state relationship in the United States (in my opinion, the most valuable contribution) and in the final chapter proposes a solution. The analysis seemed thorough, but the solution, while it may be a good one, was described in the ideal, without any suggestions as to how it might be brought about.
Aug 31, 2011
Matt
rated it: 
Explores an interesting facet of history (church-state relations), but it's repetitive.
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