Religion, Democracy, and Pluralism

Lecture by Michael Meyerson and Abdulaziz Sachedina (2019)

James Madison wrote the document Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785) to argue against taxation of citizens to support churches.  It should also be noted that Baptists, Presbyterians and other groups also opposed the public funding of religion. Madison and others argued that religious freedom was intended for Jews, Muslims, and others. The question of religious oaths for running for federal office.

Phases of history: We hate, we tolerate you, we have no choice but to give you protections.

The term toleration was important in the 1600s and 1700s. Madison argued that the term was not sufficient. It focuses on the wrong person. Everyone ought to be entitled to religious freedom. That should be a fundamental right.

John Leland, a prominent Baptist leader, but he was deeply committed to preventing the government from endorsing religion. Leland argued that the state should not have the power to define religion.

The notion of "a wall of separation of religion and state" has always been somewhat permeable.

When George Washington spoke to religious minorities, he tried to use the language of commonalities between religions. Takeaways:

1. The framers understand that religion could be a force for good or evil

2. They saw religion could unite or divide

3. The Government should not penalize or fund religion

5. Inclusive speech

Question for Meyerson: Could you comment on the state on pluralism in the U.S. today? What happened after 1816, have we lost touch with these pluralist values?

Lectures