Democratic authority and the separation of church and state

Democratic states must protect the liberty of citizens and must accommodate both religious liberty and cultural diversity. This democratic imperative is one reason for the increasing secularity of most modern democracies. Religious citizens, however, commonly see a secular state as unfriendly toward religion. This book articulates principles that enable secular governments to protect liberty in a way that judiciously separates church and state and fully respects religious citizens. After presenting a brief account of the relation between religion and ethics, the book shows how ethics can be in

The autonomy of ethics and the moral authority of religion -- The liberty of citizens and the responsibilities of government -- The secular state and the religious citizen -- Democratic tolerance and religious obligation in a globalized world