Experiencing Religion

[Michael McConnell]

I am not quite sure I draw the right moral from Emily
Hartigan's Man For All Seasons story. In the beginning of
the story, we find that there is something (we do not know
what) about MFAS is objectionable to JWs. But upon
consultation, the JW student agrees to read the book and to
participate on the ground that he can state his objections.
At the end of the story, we find that the teacher's
presentation of the book is so compelling (and perhaps the
book, too) that the student has forgotten his silly JW
objections and has become a little more like the rest of us
good tolerant multicultural Americans.

I would have no misgivings about this story if I thought:
(1) that the JW religion, properly understood, has no
objection to MFAS, and thus that no harm was done even from
a JW perspective, or (2) that MFAS is sufficiently
important to a legal education that students should be
compelled to read it no matter how objectionable it may be
to some religious minorities, or (3) that religious
scruples that take the form of objection to reading certain
materials are unworthy of respect, or (4) that it is a
cause for celebration whenever a member of a narrow and
narrow-minded religion is weaned away into our own more
broadminded perspective.

Since I am not sure that any of these things are true,
Emily's story strikes me as a little sad.
-- Michael McConnell (U of Utah)