The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality

A Response to John Rawls

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory, Government
Cover of the book The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality by David Peddle, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Peddle ISBN: 9780739189177
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: May 15, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: David Peddle
ISBN: 9780739189177
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: May 15, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The metaphor of a “wall of separation” between church and state obscures the substantial connection that exists between the Christian religion and American liberalism. The central thesis of this work challenges the legitimacy of this metaphor as it appears in Supreme Court decisions and in the thought of the philosopher John Rawls. The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality provides a provocative interpretation of the nature of Christian and liberal principles, suggesting that the principles of individual freedom and equality were forged even within the conservative elements of Calvinism and Puritanism. Recognition of this substantial intellectual connection has the potential to help reshape our conception of the separation of church and state by tempering the opposition between religious and political concepts and values.

The purpose of The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality then, is to contribute to an understanding of public reason that is more open to the contributions of religious perspectives. The work attempts to show how religious doctrines, currently obscured by historical context and hermeneutical dogmatism, have nonetheless played a formative role in the evolution of the freedom and equality that is foundational to contemporary liberalism. Understanding the genesis of the concepts of freedom and equality tempers the conceptual opposition between church and state and allows a clearer more inclusive interpretation of the nature of their separation.

The originality of the work is fourfold: (1) the challenge its central thesis poses to dominant constructions of public reason, freedom, and equality; (2) the interdisciplinary method through which it brings the findings of a variety of disciplines to bear on a central issues in political philosophy; (3) the challenge it brings to the analytic and pragmatic approach of contemporary liberalism through its assertion of the importance of historical context to contemporary ideas; and (4) the degree to which it engages theology in its relation to contemporary questions.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The metaphor of a “wall of separation” between church and state obscures the substantial connection that exists between the Christian religion and American liberalism. The central thesis of this work challenges the legitimacy of this metaphor as it appears in Supreme Court decisions and in the thought of the philosopher John Rawls. The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality provides a provocative interpretation of the nature of Christian and liberal principles, suggesting that the principles of individual freedom and equality were forged even within the conservative elements of Calvinism and Puritanism. Recognition of this substantial intellectual connection has the potential to help reshape our conception of the separation of church and state by tempering the opposition between religious and political concepts and values.

The purpose of The Religious Origins of American Freedom and Equality then, is to contribute to an understanding of public reason that is more open to the contributions of religious perspectives. The work attempts to show how religious doctrines, currently obscured by historical context and hermeneutical dogmatism, have nonetheless played a formative role in the evolution of the freedom and equality that is foundational to contemporary liberalism. Understanding the genesis of the concepts of freedom and equality tempers the conceptual opposition between church and state and allows a clearer more inclusive interpretation of the nature of their separation.

The originality of the work is fourfold: (1) the challenge its central thesis poses to dominant constructions of public reason, freedom, and equality; (2) the interdisciplinary method through which it brings the findings of a variety of disciplines to bear on a central issues in political philosophy; (3) the challenge it brings to the analytic and pragmatic approach of contemporary liberalism through its assertion of the importance of historical context to contemporary ideas; and (4) the degree to which it engages theology in its relation to contemporary questions.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Communicative Action by David Peddle
Cover of the book Communist Rhetoric and Feminist Voices in Cold War America by David Peddle
Cover of the book Lacan and Klein, Creation and Discovery by David Peddle
Cover of the book An Exploration of Effectiveness in the Regulation of Federal Depository Institutions, 1989–2008 by David Peddle
Cover of the book Ethnicity, Class, and Nationalism by David Peddle
Cover of the book The Struggle over Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter by David Peddle
Cover of the book The Dilemma of Sustainability in the Age of Globalization by David Peddle
Cover of the book The Kaprálová Companion by David Peddle
Cover of the book Phenomenalism, Phenomenology, and the Question of Time by David Peddle
Cover of the book Campaign Finance Complexity by David Peddle
Cover of the book Latin American Positivism by David Peddle
Cover of the book Theologies of Language in English Renaissance Literature by David Peddle
Cover of the book Higher Education by David Peddle
Cover of the book New Immigrants, Changing Communities by David Peddle
Cover of the book Gender, Madness, and Colonial Paranoia in Australian Literature by David Peddle
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy