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Stephen L. Carter

God's Name In Vain

"God's Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics" by Stephen L. Carter is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between religion and politics in American society. Carter, a prominent legal scholar and professor at Yale University, argues that the separation of church and state does not mean that religion should be excluded from public life, but rather that it should be subject to the same rules and norms as other forms of speech and expression. The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Carter examines the historical and constitutional foundations of the separation of church and state, arguing that the Framers of the Constitution intended to protect religious freedom, not to exclude religion from public life. In the second part, he explores the ways in which religion has been used and abused in American politics, from the founding of the Republic to the present day. He argues that while religion can be a powerful force for good, it can also be used to justify discrimination, intolerance, and violence. In the final part of the book, Carter offers a series of principles to guide the relationship between religion and politics. He argues that religious speech should be subject to the same rules and norms as other forms of speech, and that religious believers should be willing to engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different views. He also argues that religious believers should be wary of using the power of the state to impose their beliefs on others, and that they should be willing to work with people of other faiths and of no faith to build a more just and compassionate society. "God's Name in Vain" is a nuanced and thoughtful examination of a complex and controversial topic. Carter's arguments are grounded in historical research, constitutional law, and philosophical analysis, and he writes with clarity and precision. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the role of religion in American politics, and it offers a valuable framework for thinking about the relationship between religion and democracy more broadly...