Spanning more than 80 years and dozens of unique topics, the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies Research File collection contains 1,488 items related to the relationship between government and religious institutions in the United States and abroad. With a special emphasis on the evolution of Baptist institutions, the collection provides insight into the often contentious struggle to find a balance between church positions and the workings of local, state, and national government.
The items in this collection were collected by the faculty of the Baylor University Institute of Church-State Studies, initially by Dr. James E. Wood, Jr., a long-time professor and former executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. Dr. Wood was actively engaged in the ongoing conversation between America’s religious institutions and the workings of government on all levels. After his retirement, the institute donated the items in the research file to the Electronic Library for inclusion in the Digital Collections of Baylor University.
The Institute of Church-State Studies collection includes items related to such topics as abortion, anti-Catholicism, the Bible in public schools, and a wide range of Baptist-related issues. Many objects are drafts of presentations, articles, and legal memoranda; other items include pamphlets, tracts, and brochures, some of which contain graphic and controversial language or imagery. Regardless of the source material, the Electronic Library has determined these materials to be particularly relevant to the ever-shifting landscape of church-state relations at home and abroad.
Spanning more than 80 years and dozens of unique topics, the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies Research File collection contains 1,488 items related to the relationship between government and religious institutions in the United States and abroad. With a special emphasis on the evolution of Baptist institutions, the collection provides insight into the often contentious struggle to find a balance between church positions and the workings of local, state, and national government.
The items in this collection were collected by the faculty of the Baylor University Institute of Church-State Studies, initially by Dr. James E. Wood, Jr., a long-time professor and former executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. Dr. Wood was actively engaged in the ongoing conversation between America’s religious institutions and the workings of government on all levels. After his retirement, the institute donated the items in the research file to the Electronic Library for inclusion in the Digital Collections of Baylor University.
The Institute of Church-State Studies collection includes items related to such topics as abortion, anti-Catholicism, the Bible in public schools, and a wide range of Baptist-related issues. Many objects are drafts of presentations, articles, and legal memoranda; other items include pamphlets, tracts, and brochures, some of which contain graphic and controversial language or imagery. Regardless of the source material, the Electronic Library has determined these materials to be particularly relevant to the ever-shifting landscape of church-state relations at home and abroad.
User Notes :
User Notes :
Using This Resource In Your Research?
For access to high-resolution images for the purposes of scholarly research, please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Items in this collection may not be reproduced for commercial use without prior written consent from Baylor University, Religious Collections, Waco, Texas. Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu to make such a request.
Restricted Items
Items may have restricted access due to copyright reasons. Items with the following message - "You may need to log in to continue. Access the full asset and its details" - are restriced to public view. For research related access please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Historical Context Note
The Baylor University Libraries strive to make our digital collection resources available and useful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, researchers, and the general public. Through our Web sites, the Libraries offer broad public access to a wide range of information, including historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period. Baylor University does not endorse the views expressed in such materials.
Comments, Questions, or Concerns?
Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu with any comments, questions, or concerns about this collection. Please include the URL to the specific page or item when emailing.
Using This Resource In Your Research?
For access to high-resolution images for the purposes of scholarly research, please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Items in this collection may not be reproduced for commercial use without prior written consent from Baylor University, Religious Collections, Waco, Texas. Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu to make such a request.
Restricted Items
Items may have restricted access due to copyright reasons. Items with the following message - "You may need to log in to continue. Access the full asset and its details" - are restriced to public view. For research related access please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Historical Context Note
The Baylor University Libraries strive to make our digital collection resources available and useful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, researchers, and the general public. Through our Web sites, the Libraries offer broad public access to a wide range of information, including historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period. Baylor University does not endorse the views expressed in such materials.
Comments, Questions, or Concerns?
Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu with any comments, questions, or concerns about this collection. Please include the URL to the specific page or item when emailing.