Doug Laycock (Virginia) is one of the most important scholars of religious liberty writing today.  My own view is that his treatment of the Free Exercise Clause, and especially his idea of “substantive neutrality,” is among the most penetrating, original, and persuasive ever conceived.  It’s therefore a pleasure for me to announce the publication of the second volume of Doug’s four-volume tour-de-force on the subject, Religious Liberty, Volume Two: The Free Exercise Clause (Eerdmans 2011).  The first volume in the series is also excellent and may be found at the publisher’s site.  The publisher’s description of the book follows.  — MOD

One of the most respected and influential scholars of religious liberty in our time, Douglas Laycock has argued many crucial religious liberty cases in the U.S. appellate courts and Supreme Court. His noteworthy scholarly and popular writings are being collected in four comprehensive volumes under the title Religious Liberty.

This second volume, The Free Exercise Clause, includes articles, amicus briefs, and court documents relating to regulatory exemptions under the Constitution, the right to church autonomy, and the rights of non-mainstream religions. Dealing with religious schools and colleges, sexual abuse cases, the rights of Hare Krishnas and Scientologists, the landmark decision Employment Division v. Smith, and more, this will be a valuable reference for churches, schools, and other religious organizations as they exercise their constitutionally protected freedom.