Despite all evidence to the contrary, many Americans, some of them influential, are convinced that the Founding Fathers based the U.S. Constitution on Judeo-Christian teachings. The Law and Politics study area of COHE relates politics and the law to humanist values like democracy, human rights, and tolerance, and explores political and legal issues that can profoundly affect the lives of humanists throughout the world.
Courses available
LAP100: Religion and the Constitution (Cornerstone)
Religion and the Constitution takes a look at the relationship of law and politics in the troublesome area of freedom of religion or belief. It specifically focuses on this area of the law as it is understood and practiced in the United States. Since humanists are equally concerned with freedom from religion as with freedom of religion, this course will be critical in determining how humanists should respond to new developments in First Amendment law. This course will primarily examine and explain the case history of the U.S. Supreme Court from the beginning of the republic to its most recent cases dealing with prayer in school, ceremonial deisms, and public funding of religious organizations. When the student has carefully read through the various religious controversies that have come to the fore in the history of this nation, he or she will be in a better position to understand why many intelligent and principled persons come to different conclusions when addressing this vexing issue. This initial offering is, then, an exhaustive historical look at the clauses in the Constitution that specifically pertain to religious freedom.
