Whose God Rules?

The United States is not a secular democracy where laws guarantee freedom from religion, nor is it a theocracy, where a single religion prescribes all laws. This book demonstrates that the United States, whether we like it or not, is a theolegal nation - a democracy that simultaneously guarantees citizens the right to free expression of belief while preventing the establishment of a state religion.

This guarantees officials the right to use theology as one of many resources in making, applying, or administering law because a theolegal democracy does not prevent citizens or officials from using their religious worldview in the public arena as seen in secular nations. However, theolegal democracy also does not permit officials to use their theology to deny civil rights to those who do not meet those creedal tests as seen in theocracies.

Review: This book is a provocative and pioneering effort to rethink the complex relation of religion and the state in the American past and present. Don't miss it! - Cornel West, Princeton University Whose God Rules? offers an illuminating new frame to revitalize the stale debate over church-state separation.

Bringing a thoughtful and diverse group of experts to the table, Walker and Greenlee present a feast for the intellect that challenges us all to become better citizens. - Forrest Church, author of So Help Me God: the Founding Fathers and The First Great Battle over Church and State This erudite book offers a rare and unusual combination; it includes a broad range of topics treated in depth by a diverse group of contributors who write about a distinctive and controversial concept, namely theolegal democracy.

It is sure to provoke an interesting and renewed debate about the relationship of religion and politics. - Leslie Griffin, University of Houston Law Center and author of Law and Religion: Cases and Materials