Before the American Revolution; no colony more assiduously protected its established church or more severely persecuted religious dissenters than Virginia. Both its politics and religion were dominated by an Anglican establishment; and dissenters from the established Church of England were subject to numerous legal infirmities and serious persecution. By 1786; no state more fully protected religious freedom. This profound transformation; as John A. Ragosta shows in this book; arose not from a new-found cultural tolerance. Rather; as the Revolution approached; Virginia's political establishment needed the support of the religious dissenters; primarily Presbyterians and Baptists; for the mobilization effort. Dissenters seized this opportunity to insist on freedom of religion in return for their mobilization. Their demands led to a complex and extended negotiation in which the religious establishment slowly and grudgingly offered just enough reforms to maintain the crucial support of the dissenters. After the war; when dissenters' support was no longer needed; the establishment leaders sought to recapture control; but found they had seriously miscalculated: wartime negotiations had politicized the dissenters. As a result dissenters' demands for the separation of church and state triumphed over the establishment's efforts and Jefferson's Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom was adopted. Historians and the Supreme Court have repeatedly noted that the foundation of the First Amendment's protection of religious liberty lies in Virginia's struggle; turning primarily to Jefferson and Madison to understand this. In Wellspring of Liberty; John A. Ragosta argues that Virginia's religious dissenters played a seminal; and previously underappreciated; role in the development of the First Amendment and in the meaning of religious freedom as we understand it today.
#263758 in Books Vicki L Ruiz 2008-11-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.40 x .80 x 8.20l; .75 #File Name: 0195374770304 pagesFrom Out of the Shadows Mexican Women in Twentieth Century America
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Great read.By Mary G.I had to read this for my Chicano Studies course; but it was a great read by far. Because of this book it inspired me to keep taking Chicano studies classes; on my own. I am currently in the La Chicana class and I love that my instructor uses excerpts from this book. Many Chicano/a's don't realize that we have a history. A history and a culture. I will be passing this book on to my daughters and I will be encouraging them to take the classes as well.9 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A fast paced researchBy snowy owl booksThe information is priceless as a sort of reference-compendium and salute to Latina and Mexicana immigrants. A good chunk is dedicated to a case analysis of a Protestant social service mission working in a Texas community to imprint anglican values and culture on the new immigrants. Another dedicated cultural aspect explores the affect of Americanization on young unmarried women and the system of chaperoning stemming from the honor of the family having to be upheld by orthodox views of virginity. The book is inspiring in its scope but meanders a bit excitedly like a river through early immigration; americanization and chicana feminism. Starts off slow and nurturing upon each theme but gradually erodes into a more sporadic form.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy CustomerA lot of quick stories told; and so; can be hard to follow.
