Charles McCrary

'Sincerely held religious belief' is now a common phrase in discussions of American religious freedom, from opinions handed down by the US Supreme Court to local controversies. The 'sincerity test' of religious belief has become a cornerstone of US jurisprudence, framing what counts as legitimate grounds for First Amendment claims in the eyes of the law. In this book, Charles McCrary provides an original account of how sincerely held religious belief became the primary standard for determining what legally counts as authentic religion. McCrary skillfully traces the interlocking histories of American sincerity, religion, and secularism starting in the mid-19th century.