"Mormon Student, Justice, ACLU Join Up"

[David E. Guinn]

It does seem to me that one of the most compelling arguments in favor of religious freedom is the recognition that religious belief is not simply a matter of choice--like deciding whether or not to join a fraternity or sorority.  As Calvin and Paul suggested, it is a product of grace.  That does not mean that people of faith are irrational with respect to the theology that grows out of that belief, it does mean that faith touches something much deeper and more profound.
 
That said, I think the evangelical fervor displayed by the neo-atheists (as E.J. Dionne so aptly labels them) demonstrates that this religious connection can attach to a materialist ideology as well as a transcendentalist one.  The mistake Harris and company make is in thinking that their choices are purely rational and that everyone should believe exactly as they do.  (Sounds like some religious fundamentalists to me.)
 
In this sense, I think the issue does touch significantly on religion and law.
 
David


From: RJLipkin at aol.comDate: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 08:58:10 -0400Subject: Re: "Mormon Student, Justice, ACLU Join Up"To: religionlaw at lists.ucla.edu

        I'd welcome an on-list discussion of this matter, with Eugene's permission of course.Bobby      Robert Justin LipkinProfessor of LawWidener University School of LawDelawareRatio Juris, Contributor:  http://ratiojuris.blogspot.com/Essentially Contested America, Editor-In-Chief http://www.essentiallycontestedamerica.org/


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