The field of church and state in America is stuck in an unproductive debate about competing rights. One side emphasizes the right to be free of government-sponsored religion, such as prayer at public ceremonies. In contrast, the other side emphasizes people?s right to express their religious character and beliefs, sometimes even through government.<br><br><em>Secular Government, Religious People</em> breaks free of this trap. Ira Lupu and Robert Tuttle present an original theory that makes the secular character of American government, rather than a set of individual rights, the centerpiece of religious liberty in the United States. Through a comprehensive treatment of relevant constitutional themes and through their attention to both historical concerns and contemporary controversies -- including issues often in today?s news -- Lupu and Tuttle define and defend the secular character of U.S. government.