Church-state relations are becoming more and more critical. Current controversies over public policies, changing societal attitudes, and the changing character of the Supreme Court have led to a rethinking of Court decisions and public policy. Monsma offers a new approach integrating historical, theoretical, social and legal perspectives and a principle of "positive neutrality" in the handling of church-state relations. This basic study is written in a lively manner and covers major questions and current issues for broad inter-disciplinary audiences.