Abstract
One false view of separation is the view that religious ideas must not serve as rationales for public policy. This view, called the "principle of secular rationale," is put forward as a means of protecting the public sphere be supported on the basis of accessible public reasons. But in fact, it rests on inaccurate stereotypes and questionable epistemological premises, and it would disenfranchise religious persons as full participating members of the political community. The United States has never adhered to the principle of secular rationale. Indeed, our political history is rife with religious political activists and religious political arguments. As Professor Walzer concludes, there is no good democratic argument for excluding them. But more than this: to exclude them would be inconsistent with the very ideals of democratic equality that the principle of secular rationale ostensibly seeks to protect. It is time to stop challenging our fellow citizens' right to be part of democratic dialogue, and time to engage their arguments on the merits.
Recommended Citation
McConnell, Michael W.
(1999)
"Five Reasons to Reject the Claim That Religious Arguments Should Be Excluded from Democratic Deliberation,"
Utah Law Review: Vol. 1999:
No.
3, Article 2.
Available at:
https://dc.law.utah.edu/ulr/vol1999/iss3/2