I like
this nice, clear piece by David Niose. It does raise questions as to what a "choice" is, but generally I think Niose is on the money here (I have a very brief discussion of the same issue in
Freedom of Religion and the Secular State, but in the context of a discussion of Islam).
By creating a social and political environment where religion is presumed to be central to morality and patriotism, and where open personal secularity is seen as unacceptable, religious conservatives lower the likelihood that more will gravitate toward a secular lifestance.
ReplyDeleteThis remains to be seen. My impression is that the focus on intolerance is going to prove to be a real problem over time.