1. ReligiousFreedom
andAmericanPolitics
Long History, Present Controversies, Hope for the Future
Dr. Jon
Pahl

2. Main Points
• Religious freedom—the right
to practice one’s deepest
convictions without
impediment by States or
other forms of dominance
and suppression, is as rare in
history as it is precious to the
history of the U.S. and to
people around the globe. It is
also under threat, including by
some who claim to be its
defenders. Photo credit:
https://phillypeople.wordpress.com/tag/william-penn-statue

3. • The actual promotion of religious freedom depends upon
the clear, organized voice of people of faith to say “no” to
systemic and structural violence [“negative freedom”--
freedom from injustice], and to say “yes” to risking those
convictions in public debate on behalf of the common good
[“positive freedom”—freedom to participate].

4. Main Points,
con’d.
• Fortunately, over time, people of faith have gradually
demonstrated the value of religious practices as forms of social
and spiritual capital that cultivate trust among people and that
contribute to a sustainable planet.

5. •Historical Origins and Development
• Mary Dyer, Roger Williams, William Penn
• James Madison’s “Memorial and Remonstrance”
• UN Declaration (1948), Oslo Coalition (1998)
• Religious Freedom Restoration Act (1993)
•Present Controversies
• Affordable Care Act and its Dissenters: Hobby Lobby
• Marriage Equality and its Despisers:
•Hope for the Future: A Coming Religious Peace

6. But first!
•#5

7. #4:Toupee Cap

8. #3 Wiener Griller

9. #2

10. #1

11. The Economist, June 4-
10, 2016

12. The Historical (and Religious) Origins
of Religious Liberty: Mary Dyer

13. The Control of “Infection” and
“Dessemination” on behalf of “Peace”
have been infected
disseminate their Principles

14. Mary Dyer’s 1660
“Letter”

16. Soul Liberty (Competency)

17. A religious argument for religious
liberty….

18. William Penn and the “Holy Experiment”

19. Frame of Government, 1682

20. James Madison, “Memorial and
Remonstrance against Religious
Assessments,” 1785

21. Madison’s Reasoning . . .
• “’that Religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the
manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and
conviction, not by force or violence.’”
• Quotes Article XVI ofVirginia Declaration of Rights, 1776
• “in matters of Religion, no man’s right is abridged by the institution of
Civil Society and … Religion is wholly exempt from its cognizance.
[But] . . . the majority may trespass on the rights of the minority.”
• The proposed bill is “a contradiction to the Christian religion itself.”
• America should be “an Asylum to the persecuted and oppressed of
every Nation and Religion.”

22. The First Amendment, ratified 1791

24. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, 1948

25. Religious Freedom
Restoration Act (1993)
substantially burdening a person's
exercise of religion even if the burden
results from a rule of general
applicability
least restrictive means

26. The Oslo
Declaration, 1998
The language of “rights”
actually erodes
(bypasses/ignores)
RELIGIOUS arguments
crucial to acceptance of
“religious freedom,”
historically, and crucial (I’ll
argue) to its survival into
the future

27. II. Present Controversies
“Why we can no longer
support the federal ‘religious
freedom’ law,Washington
Post, June 25, 2015

28. Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby, 2012

29. Marriage Equality and its
Despisers

30. Justice Kennedy
harm

31. Justice Roberts
majority

32. ReligiousViolence
through “Religious
Freedom”

33. A Hopeful Future:
A Coming Religious Peace
• RELIGIONS EXIST TO ENDVIOLENCE (insofar as possible), and American
history demonstrates this truth, in practice…from the very beginning:
religions provide people spiritual peaceAND promote civil justice
• The current controversies indicate religious majorities (esp. Christians in
America) identifying with the narratives and discourses of oppressed and
minorities: engaged empathy. IRONY: The power of these narratives
and discourses may (must) overcome narrow interests (shrinking
dominance), and will do so when we pay attention to their religious
dimensions (not just discourses of “rights.”)

34. Negative Freedom
•Saying “no” to
systemic and
structural violence:
freedom from
injustice
RNS Feed
Bishop Robert Lynch

35. Positive Freedom (Unity of Humanity)
•Saying “yes” to
risking one’s
deepest convictions
in public debate on
behalf of the
common good.

36. Southern Baptists (!) affirm (backhandedly, but we’ll
take it) Religious Liberty of Muslims
Religion News Service
• “What it means to be a Baptist is to support soul
freedom for everybody. And, brothers and sisters,
when you have a government that says we can decide
whether or not a house of worship can be constructed
based upon the theological beliefs of that house of
worship, then there are going to be Southern Baptist
churches in San Francisco and NewYork and
throughout this country who are not going to be able
to build.”—Russell Moore, President SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty
Commission

37. Muslims after Orlando: Fethullah Gulen
“ I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific attack that took
place in Orlando…. I unequivocally condemn this hate-driven
terrorist attack and I share my revolt and disgust with billions of
people around the world. Media reports stated that the attacker
pledged allegiance to ISIS on the night of the attack.The totalitarian
mentality that characterizes terrorist groups like ISIS should be
treated like a cancer within our societies and countered through
political, social and religious efforts.To the family and friends of the
deceased, I send my sincerest condolences and pray that in the
collective consciousness of humanity, the values of mutual respect
and commitment to the dignity of every human life triumph over
fear and hate.”—Fethullah Gulen

38. Joint Declaration by US Imams
human
solidarity
mutual respect
for the sanctity of all human
life

39. Comments/Concerns/Questions
jpahl@ltsp.edu
jonpahlprof@yahoo.com
•THANKYOU!