A Systematic Review: The National Policy on Religion in Social Work Literature

Background and purpose: The understanding of the national policy on religion is critical because the way social workers think about church/state relationship is an essential component of what they do or do not do when integrating religion/spirituality in social work practice. An improper understanding of the First Amendment's approach to religion often makes constructive discussions toward religion in social work practice difficult and confusing--sometimes impossible.

The present paper intends to clarify the meaning of the First Amendment and review the various Interpretation of the clauses which reflects its philosophical base. The three major objectives of this paper are to (1) examine how the religion clauses of the First Amendment has been defined in social work literature, (2) compare/contrast the historical and recent thinking regarding the amendment, and (3) present ways to open up a productive discursive space for a balanced view.

Methods: Utilizing Rogers’ evolutionary concept analysis approach (1993), the present study analyzed how the religion clauses have been conceptualized within the social work literature. In order to have a better understanding of the First Amendment, the present project examined the interpretations of the First Amendment in social work literature. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was used as a guideline (Moher, Liberati, Tetzlaff, & Altman, 2009).

The present study systematically examined social work literature published over the past 100 years regarding the First Amendment using the key terms “Separation between church and state” or separation of church and state” or “church and state” or church-state separation” or “religion clause” or “religious clause” or “first amendment” or “religious freedom.” The articles included in the final list are examined by data mining techniques to identify the interpretations of the First Amendment including the keywords, characteristics and general categories of content.

Results: Over 170 studies were found from social work peer-reviewed journals. Of those studies, only 7 studies discussed on the interpretation of the religion clauses of the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has articulated several positions: absolute separation, compelling state interests, free exercise, no coercion, and accommodation (Ressler, 1998). The main findings of the systematic review are as follows. First, the questions about Church/State relationship are raised but the issue has not yet been well addressed. Second, the published social work literature on the First Amendment appears to view Church and State can “interact without being united, and remain distinct without being divorced” (Niebuhr, 2011).Third, the profession of social work would benefit by critically examining the comparative weight of various understanding of the religious clause of the First Amendment. Fourth, the debate over church-state separation appears to be fundamentally an ideological struggle regarding the meaning of freedom.

Conclusions: Beginning with the First Amendment, it has been open to changes and interpretations for expansion to meet changing conditions. Such an openness to change is evidenced by 27 existing amendments. Approaches regarding an open and honest examination of the profession’s way of looking at the issues of church-state relations will be presented.