Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture Religious Freedom in a Polarized Culture (with Robert George)
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Sep 14, 2023 In this engaging discussion, Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton, delves into the vital role of religious freedom in a polarized culture. He explores whether freedom of religion is the cornerstone of all liberties and contrasts historical persecution with contemporary threats. George provides insight into the erosion of free speech on college campuses, urging the importance of robust dissenting voices. He navigates the complexities of both global religious persecution and domestic challenges while advocating for civil discourse across ideological divides.
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Religious Freedom Protects Human Dignity
- Robert George says religious freedom protects the dignity of humans as image-bearers by allowing conscience and authentic faith.
- Denying religious freedom undermines human worth by preventing honest pursuit of ultimate questions.
Conscience Is The First Right
- George explains religion is listed first in the First Amendment because founders viewed conscience as most fundamental.
- Religious liberty undergirds other rights since its loss historically precedes loss of other freedoms.
Founders' Experience With Religious Strife
- George recounts founders' context of deep denominational divisions among Protestants alongside small Catholic and Jewish populations.
- They feared religious conflict could spark civil strife and thus protected liberty to avoid wars over belief.
