BAHÁ'Í FAITH

Discourse Must Be Respectful 

 

The role of religion in the public square has generated much recent controversy: in a religiously diverse country such as ours, with a policy of separation of church and state, should religion help to inform government discussion and action? I say yes, advisedly. Religious discourse should be no more disruptive of the public square than are the airing of secular world views. However, current discourse appears to be intolerant of arguments reflecting the plurality of our nation, with many differing religious viewpoints, as well as those of the nonreligious. Moreover, the respect for diverse viewpoints, as well as the lack of civility necessary for public engagement for the common good, appears to be strained, even eroded. One important way to combat this is to ensure that specific religious language is grounded in reason and morality. Another is by respectfully sanctioning those who, in an uncivilized manner, seek to suppress opposing viewpoints.