Comments on Allen on the Italian crucifix caseTypePad2011-03-31T18:45:46ZRick Garnetthttps://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2011/03/allen-on-the-italian-crucifix-case/comments/atom.xml/Marc DeGirolami commented on 'Allen on the Italian crucifix case'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2014e87257abb970d2011-03-31T19:51:31Z2011-03-31T19:51:31ZMarc DeGirolamiRick, thanks for the link and comments on the piece. For what it's worth, and insofar as my own anecdotal...<p>Rick, thanks for the link and comments on the piece. For what it's worth, and insofar as my own anecdotal evidence is of any value (it may well not be), I don't think that this decision has changed much as respects the culture wars. Those on both sides continue to believe that they are right. Those that disagree with the decision reject the arguments. Those that agree with the decision support the arguments. I think that the decision itself could have been stronger had it delved into certain contested territory, but I also recognize the virtue of minimalism in a case like this.</p>
<p>I guess that minimalism makes some sense to me because of my own doubt that thick arguments will do much to change people's minds on a case like this. It would be nice to imagine that people really do change their minds in response to forceful arguments, and in my more sanguine moments, I do think that is possible. But the power of arguments in these sorts of cases has limits, and I am deeply skeptical that anything in Lautsi (or any ECtHR decision, or any Supreme Court decision) will fundamentally change the way large numbers of people think about certain issues.</p>
<p>Thanks again for the thoughts. Marc</p>