Derek H. Davis, J.D., Ph.D., is an attorney in Dallas, Texas. He has written or edited 18 books, is the author of more than 150 articles and has edited professional journals, including law journals, for more than 300 authors. His law specialities include tax, estate planning, probate, corporations and other legal entities, real estate, social security disability, banking, securities and oil and gas. He is the former director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies and former editor of the Journal of Church & State. He is also the former graduate school dean of the school of humanities at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the former director of its Center for Religious Liberty.
More Articles from this Author
Aid to Parochial Schools
The Supreme Court has ruled in many cases involving government aid to religious schools. The Court primarily has weighed whether such aid violates the First Amendment.
Aid to Religious Colleges and Universities
Government aid to religious colleges presents several First Amendment–related issues including employment policies, construction grants and student scholarships.
Baptists
Baptists were the first religious group to adopt separation of church and state as a fundamental article of faith. They have advocated for worldwide religious freedom.
Isaac Backus
Isaac Backus, an influential Baptist, helped establish the notion of free exercise of religion, which eventually was incorporated into the First Amendment.
Original Intent
Original intent refers to the notion that the judiciary should interpret the Constitution (including the First Amendment) in accordance with the understanding of its framers.
Religious Oaths
Many early American states required public officeholders to take religious oaths. In 1961, the Supreme Court said this requirement violated the First Amendment.