The United States was founded, in part, on religious freedom—the idea that government should not be involved in the ways that people worship their deity or practice their religion. However, because historically most Americans belonged to Christian denominations, often religious symbols were incorporated into public buildings and government activities. In recent years, however, the legitimacy of these symbols has been challenged in the courts. The essays in this book examine major issues related to religious freedom today. The Contemporary Issues series gives young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with chapters that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing the reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.