Comments on More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorialTypePad2012-04-19T15:27:31ZRick Garnetthttps://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2012/04/more-on-religious-freedom-the-bishops-politics-and-the-commonweal-editorial-1/comments/atom.xml/Rick Garnett commented on 'More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorial'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2016304831229970d2012-04-20T21:07:55Z2012-04-20T21:07:55ZRick GarnettWilliam -- I guess I do think, for the reasons (a)-(c) given in the fourth paragraph, that religious freedom is...<p>William -- I guess I do think, for the reasons (a)-(c) given in the fourth paragraph, that religious freedom is increasingly vulnerable (which is not to say that it is dead, or that we have not made progress on many fronts). The Bishops' position, I think, is the one stated clearly in Dignitatis -- religious exercise is a right constrained by the requirements of public order and the like.</p>william brennan commented on 'More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorial'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e201630482fce5970d2012-04-20T21:04:58Z2012-04-20T21:04:58Zwilliam brennanRick says: "Religious freedom should not be a "partisan issue," but it is a very important one, and it is...<p>Rick says:<br />
"Religious freedom should not be a "partisan issue," but it is a very important one, and it is increasingly vulnerable. The Bishops are right to focus closely on the crucial, very pastoral, task of reminding Catholics (and all of us) of, or perhaps awakening us to, the importance, content, threats to, and yes limits of religious freedom."</p>
<p>I've already commented earlier on the, to me, covertly partisan nature of the Bishops' rhetoric of looming totalitarianism. </p>
<p>But I find it hard to fathom how religious freedom can be said to be "increasingly vulnerable." From my (inexpert) position, I'd say that religious freedom is net more secure now than ever before. The Catholic Church and some other conservative beliefs may find it uncomfortable that a few of their previously unquestioned privileges have been curtailed as the general public moves away from them on some issues, but overall, my sense is that a much wider range of religious beliefs are being better accomodated in our society's public space than ever before. For example, the US military is authorizing Wiccan ceremonies on its bases -- that's an exercise of religious freedom that would have been unthinkable not long ago, right? So when was religious freedom more secure overall in this country than it is nowadays?</p>
<p>Also, I agree that the issue of the proper limits on a civil society's accommodation of religiously based objections to generally applicable laws is important and complex. But where in their statement do the Bishops' acknowledge the need for limits on religious freedom? Where do the Bishops' acknowledge that line-drawing in these areas is complex and reasonable folks might disagree? As far as I can tell, the Bishops' position is: any law that contradicts our teaching is unjust and "cannot be obeyed." Now THAT can't be a position you support.</p>Greg Metzger commented on 'More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorial'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e20168ea6cf6f8970c2012-04-20T00:12:17Z2012-04-20T00:12:17ZGreg Metzgerhttp://www.debatingobama.blogspot.comMr. Garnett--I am really glad that you took the time to thoughtfully respond to Commonweal. Seeing someone of your caliber...<p>Mr. Garnett--I am really glad that you took the time to thoughtfully respond to Commonweal. Seeing someone of your caliber and perspective positive about the document is encouraging to me. </p>Patrick commented on 'More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorial'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e20168ea699dc2970c2012-04-19T20:16:21Z2012-04-19T20:16:21ZPatrickBp. Stephen Blaire and the USCCB committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development blasted the Republican budget as hurting "hungry...<p>Bp. Stephen Blaire and the USCCB committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development blasted the Republican budget as hurting "hungry children, poor families, vulnerable seniors and workers who cannot find employment." The statement could have been accompanied by the video of grandma being pushed over a cliff in a wheelchair. Will Commonweal admonish the bishops for that, too?</p>Dave Pasinski commented on 'More on religious freedom, the Bishops, politics, and the Commonweal editorial'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2016765658106970b2012-04-19T17:17:54Z2012-04-19T17:17:54ZDave PasinskiArticulate, but Idon't think it refutes the Commonweal editorial and the remarks of Bishop Jerzy and others are going to...<p>Articulate, but Idon't think it refutes the Commonweal editorial and the remarks of Bishop Jerzy and others are going to be multiplied until the bishops bombast creates the de facto schism they are attempting to prevent.</p>