Freedom of Religion in America

Federalist Paper

As Smith points out, in diverse populations, there are often gaps in beliefs that can be challenging obstacles to creating political unity. However, it is possible for a political community to cope with divergent beliefs by expressing affirmation of particular beliefs at some levels without requiring a single unified approach to all issues. This concept, of \\\\\\\'layered believing,\\\\\\\' can help a community bridge those divides while still respecting individual beliefs and ideas. Such an approach has the potential to ensure that differences in belief can coexist within a given community without impeding its collective growth and cohesion. As such, “layered believing” is a vital tool for maintaining social harmony in diverse societies with multiple points of view.[footnoteRef:2] [2: Steven Smith, “Our Agnostic Constitution,” NYU Law Rev, 83.1 (2008) https://www.nyulawreview.org/issues/volume-83-number-1/our-agnostic-constitution/]

However, with that said, one change that should be seriously considered to help achieve this goal is a broadening and clarification of religious freedom protections. Specifically, the current amendment should be modified to stipulate the right of Christian citizens to express their beliefs in public forums free from government interference, to freely practice their faith according to individual conscience, and that Christian churches or religious organizations (i.e., Christian schools or hospitals or businesses) are not subject to laws or regulation which conflict with their distinct mission or spiritual core values (like being obliged to offer health insurance for employees who want birth control, abortions, or same-sex marriages). Such an expansion of protection for Christianity in matters of public life would afford it the opportunity for even greater vitality and impact within American culture in both present and future.

The Archbishop of Canterbury notes, nonetheless, that we must be “prepared to think about the basic ground rules that might organise the relationship between jurisdictions, making sure that we do not collude with unexamined systems that have oppressive effect or allow shared public liberties to be decisively taken away by a supplementary jurisdiction.”[footnoteRef:3] In a pluralistic society that is socially, politically, and economically liberal, there is likely to be great pushback against Christian principles in public life. With the ongoing debates surrounding issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and LGBTQ+ rights, there can be pressure on Christians to harmonize their beliefs with these progressive values. While many Christians seek to engage in civil dialogue and seek respect for differing opinions, there may still be pushback from other segments of society that perceive Christian values as being too traditionalist or out-of-date for today\\\\\\\'s modern world. This dynamic is likely to continue as liberalism and multiculturalism become more commonplace in Western society. [3: Archbishop of Canterbury, “Civil and Religious Law in England,” 2008. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/07/religion.world3]