Should Religious Symbols Be Allowed on Public Land?

by Louise I. Gerdes (Editor)

Overview

If a public space is open to one religion, shouldn't it be open to all? Did the founders of our nation intend to forbid religious symbols on public land? What is the establishment clause, and should its existence permit the alteration of historic memorials? Supporting Social Studies curriculum, this informational anthology captures the spirited debate regarding religious symbols and public land, offering readers a variety of perspectives on the topic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737751673
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	05/28/2011
Series:	At Issue Series
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

1 The Controversy over Religious Symbols on Public Land: An Overview Thomas J. Billitteri 13

2 The Founders Did Not Intend to Forbid Religious Symbols on Public Land Michael Gaynor 18

3 If Public Space Is Open to One Religion, It Must Be Open to All Charles C. Haynes 27

4 Seeking to Remove Religious Symbols from Civic Life Is Impossible Gregory Rodriguez 31

5 Removing Religious Symbols from Public Land Distorts the Christian Past Michael Medved 35

6 No Clear Test Exists for Religious Symbols and the Establishment Clause Avern L. Cohn Bryan J. Anderson 40

7 The Establishment Clause Does Not Ban Religious Symbols on Public Land Ted Cruz Kelly Shackelford 54

8 The Establishment Clause Should Not be Used to Alter Historic Memorials Michael Sean Winters 58

9 War Memorial Crosses Dishonor Veterans of Other Faiths Sandhya Bathija 62

10 War Memorial Crosses Symbolize Courage and Patriotism, Not Religion Patrick Brady 71

11 War Memorial Crosses Symbolize Christianity and Endorse Religion Geoffrey R. Stone 74

12 Radical Secularist Attacks on Monument Crosses Threaten Religious Freedom Newt Gingrich 78

13 Bad Reasoning of Activist Judges Allows Religious Symbols on Public Land Bob Finer 81

14 The Courts Struggle over When to Allow Religious Symbols on Public Land Ira C. Lupu David Masci Robert W. Tuttle 86

15 Promoting Religious Displays on Public Land Can Dampen Holidays Sandhya Bathija 99

Organizations to Contact 109

Bibliography 115

Index 120

Editorial Reviews

Review: Should Religious Symbols Be Allowed on Public Land? "...this text keeps arguments even-tempered, information straightforward, and details unsensationalized."—Booklist

From the Publisher