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Freedom of Religion

After centuries of hostility against Catholics, the elections of Presidents Kennedy and Biden marked an end to the trend in American politics. 

While much of the world still faces restrictions on religion, America's unique approach brought about both religious freedom and spiritual vibrancy.

Editor's Note: Steven Waldman is one of our most articulate thinkers on the subject of religion. He was National Editor of US News & World Report and founded the multifaith religion website Beliefnet.com.

Jefferson and Madison led a revolutionary fight for complete separation of church and state. Their reasons probed the basic relation between religion and democracy

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