Politics and religion / Debra A. Miller, book editor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Should religion play a role in US politics? Religion and politics are inseparable / Pierre Whalon -- Religious traditions can play a healthy role in politics / Robert Jensen -- Religious fundamentalism has transformed conservative politics into a religious jihad / Neal Gabler -- What role should religion play in politics, judicial decisions and laws? / Brian Faller -- Majority of Americans think churches should stay out of politics / The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life -- Does government interfere with religious freedom? President Barack Obama's health insurance mandate violates the religious beliefs of Catholic institutions / Mike Brownfield -- US government has taken a number of actions that restrict religious freedom / Sarah Pulliam Bailey -- Religious freedom under assault / Thomas S. Kidd -- Obama's defense of religion / Steve Chapman -- Protecting access to birth control does not violate religious freedom / Robert Creamer -- Catholic bishops want to deny women the religious freedom to choose contraception / Jessica Coblentz -- What role does religion play in international politics? Religious persecution is widespread around the world / Andy Bannister -- Islam has emerged as a political force in the Middle East / Michael A. Lange -- Fear the Muslim Brotherhood / Andrew C. McCarthy -- Forget the Brotherhood. It's Egypt's generals who should worry us / Mehdi Hasan -- Egyptians rethink religion and politics as they vote / Lucy Chumbley -- Good government does not have to be secular / Elizabeth Shakman Hurd -- How should the United States balance religion and politics in the future? President Barack Obama should support a constitutional amendment to secure religious freedom / Rodney K. Smith -- Religious rights vs. The public's right / Oliver Thomas -- Religious institutions operating public accommodations must obey secular laws / United States should promote the Christian ideals of religious freedom and democracy around the world / Charles J. Chaput.

Explores whether religion should play a role in American politics; how the government interacts with religious freedom; the role religion plays in international politics; and how the United States should balance religion and politics in the future.