Books & Other Publications
The New Inquisitors
Gerhard Besier and Erwin K. Scheuch, Editors
Religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed in the constitutions of most modern democratic nations. Germany is among these nations, but conflicts persist, especially between German state churches and religious minorities. Minority religions in Germany today routinely must defend themselves against institutionalized mistrust, bias, and occasionally, outright persecution not only by officials of favored religions but also by government officials. Indeed, despite constitutional guarantees, the right to religious freedom for all German citizens and religious groups is not presently being realized. This volume gathers expert opinions, petitions, appeals and statements pertaining to the status of religious minorities in Germany today. The findings support the notion that indeed, there is an unnecessary "New Inquisition" taking place in Germany today. Special attention is paid to comparing the treatment of religious minorities in other countries, especially the United States where religious pluralism and the accompanying difficulties of granting religious freedom to all religious groups is perhaps more a reality than in any other nation in the world. (ISBN 3929351-20-X; 250 pages, notes; paper )
Genesis & the Millennium: An Essay on Religious
Pluralism in the Twenty-first Century
Bill Moyers
Edited by Derek H. Davis, this book is a conversation in the form of eight responses to a lecture given by Bill Moyers at Baylor University that primarily represent a wide range of Christian traditions, but include Jewish and Islamicist responses as well. It challenges people of all faith traditions to find the role of their faith in a world exploding with new vistas of religious belief. The respondents are: Marc H. Ellis, Jewish, John Esposito, Muslim, Stanley J. Grenz, Conservative Christian, Stanley S. Harakas, Orthodox, Martin E. Marty, Mainline Christian, Robert L. Millet, Mormon, Sabrina P. Ramet, Catholic, and Harold Wells, Christian Socialist. ( ISBN 929182-62-6, 75 pages, notes, paper only)
Religious Liberty in Northern Europe in the Twenty-first Century
Derek H. Davis, editor
This book explores the nuances of church-state models throughout Northern Europe and examines the status of religious liberty in each context. Some countries continue to follow the ancient practice of official religious establishment, others maintain quasi-establishment where the predominate religion is "endorsed" by the state, and still others have adopted the model of nonestablishment or broad separation of church and state. This book is certain to appeal to anyone interested in the complex relationships between religion and state that frame the future of many of Europe's leading nations. (ISBN 929182-59-6, 250 pages, notes, index; paper only)
Welfare Reform and Faith-Based Organizations
Derek Davis and Barry Hankins, editors
The essays in this volume consider the potential problems and benefits of allowing churches and religious charitable organizations to receive government funds in order to operate private welfare programs. Pursuant to the "Charitable Choice" provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, faith-based organizations are now applying for government funding of social service programs. Whether this legislation amounts to a creative solution to the dilemma of welfare and poverty or a violation of church-state separation is but one of many questions raised by this important book.
The authors offer diverse views on Charitable Choice, due in no small part to the range of their disciplines. In addition to constitutional scholars, this work includes contributions from theologians, public policy analysts, religious liberty lobbyists, and social service practitioners. This result is a vigorous but balanced presentation of Charitable Choice, its constitutionality, its impact upon religious liberty, and its potential for improving social conditions in America. (ISBN 929182-55-3 / paper; ISBN 929182-54-5 / cloth / ISBN 0-929182-24-3, paper / xiv + 372 pages, and bibliography)
The Baptist Tradition of Religious Liberty in America
Edwin Scott Gaustad
Two concise and substantive lectures highlighting the most notable advocates of religious liberty within the Baptist tradition. The lectures examined the efforts and thought of early and modern American Baptists within the context of the longstanding heritage of the separation of church and state as a cornerstone of religious freedom and Baptist faith. (30 pages, bibliography, paper)
The Contours of Church and State in the Thought of John Paul II
George Huntston Williams
The first systematic and carefully researched analysis of John Paul II's concepts of church, state, and society and relations with non-Catholic states and current political movements. A thorough piece of scholarship by a recognized authority on John Paul II and one of the few persons who predicted the pope's election. (ISBN 0-918954-41-X / LC 83-171724 / 90 pages, notes, bibliography, paper)
International Perspectives on Freedom and Equality of Religious Belief
Edited by Derek H. Davis and Gerhard Besier
The relevance of the subject of this volume, "International Perspectives on Freedom and Equality of Religious Belief," to the ongoing development of free and pluralistic societies worldwide can hardly be overstated. No volume can canvas the entire world to assess the status of religious freedom at any one time, and this book is no exception. The focus therefore is on several "hot spots," especially in Europe, where new and important developments in the ways that governments treat religion, some of which arguably are cause for grave concern, are examined and analyzed. The result is a focused, yet comprehensive look at the status of religious freedom in some of the most strategic locations around the globe. (ISBN 929182-66-9. 220 pages, notes, index)