This textbook on the separation of church and state continues the "Exploring the Constitution Series," which introduces important areas of constitutional law. Intended to serve either as a reference work, a supplement to a standard textbook, or as the textbook for a course, this volume covers the constitutional issues of prayer in public schools, government support for private religious schools, the use of religious symbols by government, the right of school children to refuse to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the rights of conscientious objectors, and the appeal to religion as an excuse for breaking the law. The introduction elucidates the historical background for the separation of church and state with a discussion of John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and colonial America. Each substantial chapter on a constitutional issue explains the setting of the debate, provides opinions and dissents from several Supreme Court cases, and offers discussion questions. The book closes with a glossary of legal terms, suggestions for further readings, and two appendices containing the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. (JD)