Making Religion the Problem

by Russ Douthat

APRIL 2, 2015 11:11 AM

http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/making-religion-the-problem/?comments&_r=0


So the essence of Douthat's answer to "the question of what, if anything, conservatives actually think we should do about the problem if it is primarily a cultural one" is:
"One possibility, the one I favor ..., is basically to allow a fairly wide latitude for these religious subcultures, with legal protections and a general tolerance that makes it relatively easy for the observant and traditionalist not only to worship and find fellowship but also to run businesses, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc. in accordance with their beliefs."

The rub is in the last part - the fact that social conservatives want the ability not only to freely "freely worship and find fellowship" (which is guaranteed as a cornerstone of the Constitution), but also to IMPOSE their beliefs on others by, for example, not serving a gay couple in their business or other activities. With other words, Douthat is arguing FOR the current law in Indiana, which implicitly (and in the interpretation of some of that bills sponsors, explicitly) would allow businesses to discriminate for the sake of their "religious beliefs". That is unacceptable. Remember, not so long ago discrimination against a blacks was justifies by many churches (in South Africa of old, by the Dutch Reformed Church - we called it the Much Deformed Church) because supposedly their "faith" demanded it.