"Liberalism need not file faith under superstition and irrationality. Liberalism was not originally meant to provide freedom from religion, any more than it was originally meant to provide us freedom from trans fat."---Dan Foley
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Quote of the Day
In a discussion about Locke and the Constitution, a pal of mine dropped this delicious bit of quotable wisdom:
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10 comments:
Tom,
I agree that freedom of expression, which religion is about, is a liberty that liberal government should protect. I just find it hard to defend those that want to promote a certain kind of religion. Theirs is absolute.
Is Dan suggesting that trans fat is not an important concern for health reasons, but that government should not interfere with this choice of value, as it concerns individual and their liberty? Just as government is not to interfere with the practice of one's faith?
As one of the concepts to emerge from the Enlightenment, Liberalism certainly did not mean freedom from religion. But it did mean freedom from enforced religious authority. Under Liberalism religion becomes an individual choice.
Hi Tom. Glad you appreciated it!
Angie, trans fats are something that should be between you and your physician, or publicist.
I think a useful distinction can be made between faith and religion. Religion carries a more public and institutional aspect---and most important to the Founders, a factional one.
In this light, "In God We Trust" is faith, but not religion.
Dan,
I agree totally!!!!
Tom,
"In God We Trust"...
Trust is a personal relational term. And whatever you believe about religion, you cannot force trust, either. Otherwise, it is coercive, as to personal choice and commitment as to belief.
I guess. It's an expression of our national ethos. Individuals are free to distrust in God if they so choose. It's not obligatory, nor is there any way to enforce it.
All the Founders trusted in God. If we want to change our slogan, we can put "We Don't Trust God Anymore" on the money, then.
It is codified as federal law in the United States Code at 36 U.S.C. § 302, which provides: "'In God we trust' is the national motto."
Tom,
Of course I believe that our nation's foundation has been based on liberty of conscience in regards to religion/faith.
I just personally have problems with faith claims, and with some people of faith.
A book I'm reading, "The Theme Is Freedom", is a conservative values oriented book. His argument defends religious aspect of our nation's "tradition", which supports liberal government.
Without religous conscience, the scientifically minded could undermine the value of human life, as distinct and unique. Etc. etc. I think you would like the book, it is based on volumes of classical, modern and British understandings of the ideas that were the basis of our Founding. It is written by M.Stanton Evans.
Of course I believe that our nation's foundation has been based on liberty of conscience in regards to religion/faith.
Not quite, Angie. It was founded, as the D of I itself says, "with firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."
Yes, Stan Evans is quite the paleo-conservative. I had the pleasure of speaking with him once, and he generously helped with some work I was doing.
I do not know what he says in the book, but I do know what the D of I says.
BTW, that phrase was inserted by Congress; it was not from the pen of Jefferson. That it was inserted by Congress gives it more force than if Jefferson had written it himself.
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