"Was George W. Bush doing something un-American in 1999 when, asked by a reporter what philosopher had influenced him most, he named Jesus? Was Bill Clinton doing something irreligious when, just about a year earlier, he stood before the National Prayer Breakfast and a television audience and sought forgiveness? What about the activist preachers who fight to remake the nation in the image they think God prefers and who, every time an election rolls around, recommend to their congregations how they ought to cast their ballots?" "In God's Name in Vain, Yale Law Professor Stephen L. Carter offers provocative and practical answers. Offering his usual mix of insights from history, theology, politics, philosophy and law, Carter contends that a nation that truly values religious freedom must welcome the religious voice into its political counsels. In God's Name in Vain, written with his usual energy, clarity and wit, Carter offers advice on how politically active religious activists can keep their balance on the tightrope, remaining true to their faith while working for genuine change in their nation."--Jacket.