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Christian Liberalism as Theoretical Tool: The Case of American Religious Freedom Jurisprudence

Sat, May 26, 17:00 to 18:15, Hilton Prague, Floor: LL, Congress Hall II - Exhibit Hall/Posters

Abstract

In this paper I develop the concept of Christian liberalism, which I argue is a useful theoretical tool for understanding the contradictions embedded in the western liberal discourse of religious tolerance. Using examples from American religious freedom jurisprudence, I argue that Christian liberalism helps us to better understand the unequal distribution of accommodations for religious groups. The concept also elucidates the tension between claims that Christianity is a generic feature of the American public sphere, as well as a set of beliefs requiring specific state protections. This dual dimension of Christian liberalism helps to account for the ways that so-called neutral religious expressions (such as “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance) go uncontested while other specific theological claims become the basis for religiously-based exemptions from federal law (such as the Hobby Lobby decision, upholding corporations’ right to refuse full compliance with the ACA’s contraceptive mandate).

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