Separate for a Reason: Re-Examining Separation of Church and State in America

On June 14, 2004, the Supreme Court overturned a decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which held that the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Separate for a Reason explores the Pledge of Allegiance case and other First Amendment cases which demonstrate the growing tension over the place of religious practices and symbols in public and governmental establishments. A former federal prosecutor and college law teacher, Janet Ruth adds her perspective to an increasingly volatile debate over the separation of church and state.

Combining her extensive law background with her Christian faith, Ruth questions the wisdom of fighting to preserve a Christian nation that is, so often, Christian in name only. She says "it is time for Christians to change their focus from preserving morality in America to spreading the gospel of Christ in America and throughout the world. For it is not 'through acts of righteousness' that we are saved, or through moral laws and empty religious ceremonies."

In Separate for a Reason, Ruth challenges Christians to consider a third side to the Church/State debate, one which places an emphasis on giving our allegiance to God.