Guardian of the Wall: Leo Pfeffer and the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment

(Hardback)

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Guardian of the Wall examines Leo Pfeffer's church-state thought and its influence on the U.S. Supreme Court. The book argues that Pfeffers understanding of the First Amendments religion clauses, shaped as it was by his historical and religious context, led him to advocate a separationist historical narrative and absolutist application of the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. Pfeffers jurisprudence was pivotal in shaping the U.S. Supreme Courts interpretation of the First Amendment throughout the last half of the twentieth century. Guardian of the Wall challenges the popular contention that Pfeffers separationist philosophy was hostile to religion and sought to remove religion from the public square. Instead, it illustrates how Pfeffer believed a broad reading of both religion clauses protected religious freedom, secured religious equality, and fostered authentic participation of religion in public life. The book concludes by analyzing the Courts shift away from the strict separation of church and state during the past thirty years and contends that the Court should reconsider Pfeffers approach to the First Amendments religion clauses.

Author Bio

J. David Holcomb is professor of history and political science at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.