Question

What is the role of a religious ethic in public policy today? Should a religious ethic or theistic worldview take priority over that of others? How can religious policy decision makers remain true to their personal values while respecting the views of individuals with differing cultural and spiritual beliefs?

Answer 1

What is the role of a religious ethic in public policy today?

Religion has played an important role in the world since time immemorial. Today, the picture is no different with so many new religions cropping up each day. Major public policies were integrated with religion in the ancient times as religion was an integral part of the society. Today with modernisation, and the advent of science and technology, the role of religion seems to be fading away. In spite of these changes in the mindsets and differing religious views, religion does continue to hold a sway in public policy today. There have been attempts to implement a moral code in public policy despite the diminishing role of religion these days.

Should a religious ethic or theistic worldview take priority over that of others?

Religious ethics cannot take priority over the views of others, as today we live in a much more diverse world with majority of the people following secular viewpoints, and a range of views from atheism to agnosticism. Public policy need to be shaped keeping a balance between the religious and secular, as the First Amendment says, in addition to no establishment of religion, no restrictions shall be placed in the way of the free exercise of religious convictions, except in concerns to public safety.

How can religious policy decision makers remain true to their personal values while respecting the views of individuals with differing cultural and spiritual beliefs?

If religious policy decision makers are to remain true to their personal values while respecting the views of others, it is necessary that the common good be kept in mind in decision making. The society has a moral code which need not be entirely based on religion. There is no individual who does not have a moral belief, either based on religion or other values. Almost all the religions across the world have values of justice and the social welfare. They have their political right to speak on these issues. But, they do not have the right to impose views on people of different convictions. In a healthy democracy, all such persuasion can be made only through politics, passage of laws with adequate support in the legislature, keeping the common good in mind.