xi Series Foreword Religion is a pervasive and powerful force in modern society, and its influ- ence on political structures and social institutions is inescapable, whether in the United States or around the world. Wars have been fought in the name of faith national boundaries have been shaped as a result and social policies, legislation, and daily life have all been shaped by religious beliefs. Written with the reference needs of high school students and undergraduates in mind, the books in this series examine the role of reli- gion in contemporary politics and society. While the focus of the series is on the United States, it also explores social and political issues of global significance. Each book in the series is devoted to a particular issue, such as anti- semitism, atheism and agnosticism, and women in Islam. An overview essay surveys the development of the religious dimensions of the subject and discusses how religion informs contemporary discourse related to that issue. A chronology then highlights the chief events related to the topic. This is followed by a section of alphabetically arranged reference entries providing objective information about people, legislation, ideas, move- ments, events, places, and other specific subjects. Each entry cites works for further reading and in many cases provides cross-references. At the end of each volume is an annotated bibliography of the most important print and electronic resources suitable for student research. Authoritative and objective, the books in this series give readers a concise introduction to the dynamic interplay of religion and politics in modern society and provide a starting point for further research on social issues.
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