February 19, 2009
Dr. Timothy Miller summarized the history of Christianity as a movement and the persecution of it's followers over quite a number of centuries.
Some interesting things that he mentioned:
*Human beings have a tendency to think they live in unique times. They behave as though "new" religions are cults, even though their histories go back further than the eye can see.
*Arguably, Christianity is not the only religion to exhibit such a history of persecution in all of it's denominations because the fact of the matter is people are people no matter where you go. Under other religions persecution is just as bad, if not worse. The issues of persecution are largely a matter of point of view--we cannot get away from considering the contexts of the situations, both historically and religiously.
*Exemptions based on religion are dissipating (especially in the Supreme Court) because religious constraints are becoming so diverse that there cannot be an exception for everything and anything.
Questions to consider:
*In NY, a man beheaded his wife under religious pretexts. The U.S. is supposed to advocate religious freedom, but how do we protect innocent people without stepping on anyone's religious freedom? What should the state of the law be in order to deal with this?
--> It has to be at our discretion, but where do you draw the line?
--> At what lengths does religious freedom get to extend before it affects public safety or the stability of the public/society?
*What about children? (Parent's get to teach kids, not the state)
-->But if religious practices put a child in danger (like not allowing blood transfusion), should the state intervene? (parens patriae)
Some interesting things that he mentioned:
*Human beings have a tendency to think they live in unique times. They behave as though "new" religions are cults, even though their histories go back further than the eye can see.
*Arguably, Christianity is not the only religion to exhibit such a history of persecution in all of it's denominations because the fact of the matter is people are people no matter where you go. Under other religions persecution is just as bad, if not worse. The issues of persecution are largely a matter of point of view--we cannot get away from considering the contexts of the situations, both historically and religiously.
*Exemptions based on religion are dissipating (especially in the Supreme Court) because religious constraints are becoming so diverse that there cannot be an exception for everything and anything.
Questions to consider:
*In NY, a man beheaded his wife under religious pretexts. The U.S. is supposed to advocate religious freedom, but how do we protect innocent people without stepping on anyone's religious freedom? What should the state of the law be in order to deal with this?
--> It has to be at our discretion, but where do you draw the line?
--> At what lengths does religious freedom get to extend before it affects public safety or the stability of the public/society?
*What about children? (Parent's get to teach kids, not the state)
-->But if religious practices put a child in danger (like not allowing blood transfusion), should the state intervene? (parens patriae)
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