Description: This book describes American ideas about and policies toward the relationship between government and religion from the founding of Virginia in 1607 to the presidency of Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837. Four principles were paramount during this period: the importance of religion to the public welfare; the resulting obligation of government to support religion; liberty of conscience and voluntaryism; the requirement that churches be supported by free will gifts, not taxation. The relevance of the concept of the separation of church and state during this period is examined in detail.
Brief description: James H. Hutson has been Chief of the Manuscripts Division at the Library of Congress since 1982. He has previously held positions as Coordinator of the American Revolution Bicentennial Programs at the Library of Congress, and as lecturer at the College of William and Mary and Yale University. Among his many publications, Dr Hutson has written Religion and the Founding of the American Republic (6th printing, 2002); Forgotten Features of the Founding: The Recovery of Religious Themes in Early American History (2003); and The Founders on Religion (2005).
Review Quotes: "This slender volume offers a brilliant survey of the events, ideas, and personalities that shaped America's distinctive approach to church-state relations. With uncommon clarity, keen insights, and illuminating anecdotes, James H. Hutson recounts the complicated, but inspiring story of the development of religious liberty in North America. Few stories in history are more important and more deserving of our attention." -Daniel L. Dreisbach, professor, American University and author of Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation between Church and State.