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Archive: Just Law and Religion
Holy wars and weapons
A firm's practice of encoding military weapons with Bible cites says more about Christianity than about the Constitution.
By Michael Kessler | January 22, 2010; 12:18 PM ET | Comments (2)
No room in health reform for Mary?
Do religious exemptions and conscience clauses blind us to the mysterious ways of God?
By Michael Kessler | December 17, 2009; 05:13 PM ET | Comments (6)
Best and worst of humanity on Bravo
Don't blame Bravo for the Salahi saga, or for merely documenting the best and worst of human achievement.
By Michael Kessler | December 8, 2009; 03:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
Jefferson's Thanksgiving wish
Jefferson's principled -- and patriotic -- reasons for not issuing a traditional Thanksgiving proclamation.
By Michael Kessler | November 25, 2009; 09:27 AM ET | Comments (6)
McDonnell's reaction to Robertson's hate
Governor-elect's subtle disavowal of Pat Robertson's hateful comments was downright Madisonian.
By Michael Kessler | November 20, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Comments (7)
Marriage and discrimination
Moral, religious, and legal treatment of interracial marriage has progressed. Will the same happen for same-sex marriage?
By Michael Kessler | November 6, 2009; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (21)
John Brown's disobedience
Can we condone people who appeal to a higher law while ignoring the civil law? Slavery then, abortion now?
By Michael Kessler | October 30, 2009; 04:33 AM ET | Comments (7)
Unveiling anonymous comments
Anonymous commenters deplete society of engaged, critical reflection, building pressure on the hate-filled social underbelly.
By Michael Kessler | October 23, 2009; 01:38 PM ET | Comments (36)
Obama's Noble Alternative
I wish Obama had declined the Peace Prize and given it to the people of Iran who protested an oppressive regime.
By Michael Kessler | October 9, 2009; 02:31 PM ET | Comments (10)
Bono's Prophetic Rock Concert
The U2 concert was a rock opera rendition of the UN Declaration of Human Rights and a moral call to action.
By Michael Kessler | October 1, 2009; 11:09 PM ET | Comments (15)
Remembering September 11 Every Day
"9/11 changed everything." It's a common trope, but it is not clear that our personal and social lives were significantly transformed by September 11.
By Michael Kessler | September 24, 2009; 11:08 AM ET | Comments (0)
Muslims on the Mall
Planned Muslim prayer gathering on the National Mall another monument to George Washington's America.
By Michael Kessler | September 11, 2009; 01:51 PM ET | Comments (82)
Big City Neighbors Stop Attacker
When a woman is attacked, big-city strangers become neighbors and come to her aid.
By Michael Kessler | August 28, 2009; 11:28 AM ET | Comments (0)
Sarah Palin's "Death Panel" Lies
Read the proposed legislation. There is nothing remotely resembling such a sinister control of human life.
By Michael Kessler | August 13, 2009; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (3)
A Faithful Way to Reform Health Care
What Republican, health-care reform obstructionists could learn from the Council of Nicaea.
By Michael Kessler | July 23, 2009; 05:02 PM ET | Comments (1)
What's in Sotomayor's Heart?
Don't expect the judicial confirmation process to be revelatory. Hearings are more show than showdown.
By Michael Kessler | July 16, 2009; 01:06 PM ET | Comments (12)
A Slave to Principle
Note to Rep. King of Iowa: You're in the Capitol to represent the will of the people, not the will of God.
By Michael Kessler | July 10, 2009; 10:07 PM ET | Comments (2)
Revolutionary Freedom of Religion
The founders urged tolerance of religious diversity. They knew that faith flourishes when left alone by government.
By Michael Kessler | July 2, 2009; 06:00 PM ET | Comments (5)
The Private Affair of Mark Sanford
Yes, he's a hypocrite. He called for Bill Clinton's resignation. But he's never tried to impose 'God's law' on others.
By Michael Kessler | June 24, 2009; 05:02 PM ET | Comments (10)
PBS: Public Broadcasting is Secular
By banning religious programs, PBS is trying to be neutral but will they lose touch with local community needs?
By Michael Kessler | June 18, 2009; 11:17 AM ET | Comments (8)
Fair Faith-Based Partnerships
Obama and DuBois must make sure all faith groups have equal access to federal funds.
By Michael Kessler | June 12, 2009; 11:18 AM ET | Comments (4)
A Wing and a Prayer
As we learned again with the Air France crash, the only real peace comes from faith, prayer, and meditation.
By Michael Kessler | June 4, 2009; 09:28 AM ET | Comments (4)
Sotomayor and Religious Freedom
Sotomayor is no judicial activist, but she does realize courts must interpret laws that too often are unclear.
By Michael Kessler | May 27, 2009; 01:50 PM ET | Comments (1)
Save Daniel Hauser
Can a 13-year-old choose to reject vital medical treatments for religious reasons? Should his mother or the state let him?
By Michael Kessler | May 22, 2009; 01:22 AM ET | Comments (32)
6 Questions for S. Court Nominee
We should pay close attention to how a new justice would protect fundamental rights to religious and moral liberty:
By Michael Kessler | May 15, 2009; 08:37 AM ET | Comments (7)
Souter and McConnell: Protecting Religious Freedom
The two retiring judges made a profound mark on the intersection of religion and government.
By Michael Kessler | May 7, 2009; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (0)
Religious Exemptions for Same-Sex Unions
Recent decisions on same-sex unions raise questions about links between religious and racial discrimination.
By Michael Kessler | May 1, 2009; 05:41 AM ET | Comments (22)
Confronting the Taliban Thugs
President Obama's diplomacy can help us distinguish between good theology and extremist thuggery.
By Michael Kessler | April 16, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (10)
Obama's Faith-Based Opportunity
President could use his faith-based office to mobilize all non-profits and bolster the safety in this recession.
By Michael Kessler | April 2, 2009; 08:44 AM ET | Comments (4)
Free Market's "Invisible Hand" Not a Fist
Even Adam Smith, hero of free marketeers, said government must regulate some aspects of the economy.
By Michael Kessler | March 27, 2009; 10:49 AM ET | Comments (0)
The Court's Monumental Error
The recent Supreme Court ruling raises the question: How can the government select one group's religious expression and deny another's?
By Michael Kessler | March 17, 2009; 09:39 AM ET | Comments (4)
