Situating Ourselves in History

9 Pages Posted: 27 Feb 2015

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

This short essay responds to comments on a chapter of my book The Rise and Decline of American Religious Freedom written by Professors Andrew Koppelman, Paul Horwitz, and Nelson Tebbe and published in the Pepperdine Law Review. The essay suggests that whether one responds to the current controversy over religious freedom optimistically, pessimistically, or complacently may depend upon the background historical narrative within which works. A “progressive” narrative may support optimism or complacency, but a different narrative (such as the decline narrative given by the eminent historian Jacques Barzun) may provoke a less optimistic reaction.

Keywords: religion, religious freedom, history, constitutonal law

JEL Classification: K10

Suggested Citation

Smith, Steven Douglas, Situating Ourselves in History (2014). Pepperdine Law Review, Vol. 41, 2014, San Diego Legal Studies Paper No. 15-182, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2570650

Steven Douglas Smith (Contact Author)

University of San Diego School of Law ( email )

5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
United States
619-260-7969 (Phone)
619-260-2492 (Fax)

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