Debate on government and religion featuring Sebastian Morello and Kevin Vallier. Topics include historical impact of ideologies, connection between religion, politics, and human nature, religious freedom in modern society, Christianity and welfare states, dynamics between post-Christian societies and state churches, and the intersection of church and state in politics.
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Quick takeaways
In a debate on Christianity and the State, Dr. Morello argues that due to the intertwining of politics and human nature, a truly secular society is a misconception.
Dr. Morello discusses the challenges in balancing political authority and religious beliefs, highlighting historical examples of leaders regulating religious life.
Dr. Valier analyzes the complexities of intertwining government and religion, emphasizing the need to uphold natural law principles while avoiding dependence solely on revelation.
Deep dives
Establishment of Abrahamic Heritage Center by Acton Institute
The Acton Institute introduced the Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage in 2022 to promote research from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic viewpoints on economics, liberty, and human flourishing. This center launched a debate series on the relationship between government and religion, facilitating discussions among scholars and faith leaders.
Influence of Religion on Political Life
Dr. Morello highlighted the intertwining of political life and human nature, emphasizing the religious and questioning nature of humans. He argued that due to mankind's natural inclination towards religion and politics, there is no such thing as a truly secular society. Moreover, he discussed the clash between natural and supernatural religion in the context of political leadership.
Role of Governance in Religious Practices
Dr. Morello delved into the concept of political leaders being the rightful authority over the religious beliefs and practices of their communities, aligning with historical examples of leaders regulating religious life. He emphasized the challenges faced in maintaining the balance between political authority and religious beliefs, especially in the context of evolving societal norms and values.
Challenges of State Intervention in Religious Matters
Dr. Valier discussed the complexities of intertwining government and religion, examining the implications of differing forms of establishment. He highlighted the need for legislators to balance religious convictions in public life while upholding principles of natural law and avoiding relying solely on reasons of revelation. He scrutinized the effectiveness of moderate establishment and the implications of strong establishment on issues like religious freedom and governance.
Religion and Government Relations
The podcast delves into the intricate relationship between religion and government, questioning the possibility of true separation. It explores the idea that even in apparently irreligious societies, humans are bound to exalt something, leading to a quasi-religious outlook. The discussion highlights how different ideological systems, whether based on progress, nationalism, or materialism, essentially act as surrogate religions, shaping the state's direction and moral framework.
Secularism and Persecution
The episode examines the concept of secularism and its implications in modern governance. It argues that the notion of a secular state is illusory, with ideologies taking on quasi-religious features. The conversation emphasizes the rising persecution of dissenting moral viewpoints under the guise of neutrality, revealing a clash between traditional natural law morality and state-enforced ideologies. Ultimately, the discussion calls for a candid dialogue on the interplay of religion in public life to address pressing societal challenges.
In 2022, the Acton Institute launched The Collins Center for Abrahamic Heritage. The mission is to advance research and education on economics, liberty, and human flourishing from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives.
As part of this mission, earlier this year the Collins Center launched a debate series on the relationship between government and religion, featuring robust dialogue between scholars and leaders of different faiths.
On today’s episode, we present to you the second of these debates. Moderated by Acton’s director of research, John Pinheiro, senior editor of The European Conservative Sebastian Morello and professor of philosophy at Bowling Green State University Kevin Vallier discuss whether government and religion really should be separate.
