The LeFrak Forum's 32nd Annual Conference: Liberalism and Its Discontents, Panel V, April 30, 2022
What is the relation between religion and liberalism? In his Farewell Address, George Washington said, "Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on the minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." To what extent does "national morality," the morality of liberalism in particular, depend upon religion? Can religion serve as a basis for liberalism--or, if it does not serve as a basis for liberalism, can religion even just coexist with liberalism, without decaying under its influence?
Panelists: Ronald Beiner (University of Toronto), Jenna Storey (Furman), Joshua Mitchell (Georgetown)
Chair: Raul Rodriguez (MSU)