First published 1994
Stephen L. Carter argues that American society systematically pushes religious belief to the margins of public discourse. The Yale law professor examines how courts, politicians, and intellectuals treat faith as a private hobby rather than a legitimate source of moral reasoning. Carter shows how this marginalization damages both democracy and religious communities. He traces the roots of this problem through legal cases, political debates, and cultural attitudes that dismiss religious perspectives as irrational or dangerous. The book challenges the assumption that faith and reason cannot coexist in public life. Carter calls for a new understanding that respects religious voices while maintaining constitutional principles. He offers a path forward that neither privileges nor silences faith-based arguments in democratic debate.
Genres: american, religion, non-fiction, christianity, academic, cultural-studies
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
328 pages · Paperback · Anchor Books