The Palgrave Handbook of Religion and State Volume I: Theoretical Perspective deals with the relationship between Religion and its long history that has played out throughout time and across the globe. Countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe approach the subject of religion and the state in various ways. While the word religion to westerners usually brings Christianity to mind, in Japan it is Shintoism and Buddhism. Volume II offers chapters on the relationship of both Shintoism and Buddhism to the Japanese state. It is very easy to see how the deeply traditional Japanese citizens may come into conflict with the strictly secular Japanese state. It also contains chapters about mosque and state as well as synagogue and state.

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Shannon Holzer is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Houston Christian University. He has earned degrees in the areas of religion, philosophy, and religion, politics, and society. Holzer earned his Ph.D. in Religion, Politics and Society from Baylor University's J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies. He also holds a M.A. in Philosophy from Biola University's Talbot School of Theology. He has published in the areas of philosophy, law, politics, and religion. Holzer is often heard on Houston's KTRH news commenting on religion, politics, and society.