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Full-Text Articles in Law
Legislators And Religious-Based Reasoning, Diana Ginn, David Blaikie, Micah Goldstein
Legislators And Religious-Based Reasoning, Diana Ginn, David Blaikie, Micah Goldstein
Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press
In a secular, multicultural, liberal democratic society founded on the rule of law, is it appropriate for legislators (or political candidates) to refer to religious beliefs or texts when discussing a government initiative or urging action on a particular issue? Such references might be used for various purposes: to explain the speakers’ own beliefs; to emphasize that an issue has been around for a long time and therefore should be taken seriously; to elucidate historical influences on a particular law; or to give weight to a particular argument by buttressing it with religious authority. In Canada today, do ethics, law, …
Religious Discourse In The Public Square, David Blaikie, Diana Ginn
Religious Discourse In The Public Square, David Blaikie, Diana Ginn
Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press
Full, open, and civilized discourse among citizens is fundamental to the life of a liberal democracy. It seems trite to assert that no discourse should be prohibited or excluded simply because it is grounded in religious faith or employs religious beliefs to justify a particular position. Yet there are those who contend that it is improper for citizens to use religious arguments when debating or deciding issues in the public square, that metaphorical arena where issues of public policy are discussed and contested. In this article we challenge this position, examining the various arguments that are put forward for keeping …