A Perfect Freedom


Book Description

The literature on the evolution of religious liberty in the United States has largely forgotten Pennsylvania, focusing instead on the histories of New England and Virginia. But Pennsylvania developed a unique tradition of religious freedom long before the Great Awakening and the rise of pietism, which historians often cite as the major influences on the separation of church and state. At the colony's founding in the 1680s William Penn and the settlers institutionalized religious toleration and separation of church and state. After the American Revolution, Pennsylvania served as the principal model for the provision of religious liberty in the other states and the federal government. Using a wide variety of sources--legal documents, church records, sermons, political tracts, diaries, newspapers, and government records--this book traces Pennsylvania's distinctive religious and political development, how it has influenced the nation and how, in turn, the nation has impacted upon it. The book covers the ongoing discussions about pacifism, rights for Jews and blacks, prayer in public schools, Sunday legislation, and other religious topics from William Penn's time through to World War II. It demonstrates how Pennsylvania developed a tradition of actively promoting religion that, after World War 11, resulted in U.S. Supreme Court rulings that cited the state for violations of First Amendment rights. This book will be of interest to American political, social, church, and legal historians, and anyone interested in policy issues involving the separation of church and state.




The Council of Censors


Book Description







Congressional Record


Book Description

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)













A History of the Presbyterian Church in Georgia


Book Description

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.