The Weekend Muse | Brooke Medina
Domestic Challenges to Religious Liberty—From Left and Right by Daniel Mark
How do we defend the importance of religious liberty in a nation that is increasingly growing disinterested in the importance of religion?
“The fastest growing religious group in America is the ‘nones’—not religious sisters in habits, but those who check ‘none’ on surveys of religious affiliation.” The author appeals to readers to consider action in light of this shifting religious demography. He asserts that those who do not value religion will be less inclined to value religious liberty. Thus, the top priority for those who care about the future of religious liberty is to help Americans once again see the value of religion. This is not a job for the faint of heart, but it is a societal imperative if we hope to move our nation toward an appreciation for religion, religious freedom, and a well-rooted understanding of liberty.
If Adults Won’t Grow Up, Nobody Will by Peggy Noonan (paywall)
Noonan consistently exhibits a keen perception into cultural moments that few writers are able to articulate quite as succinctly. This week she set her sights on the increasing normalcy of grown ups behaving like juveniles. From Laura Ingraham’s recent words to Harvey Weinstein and Mark Zuckerberg’s [albeit different] failures, it is clear that the younger generation is hard-pressed to find a reasonable number of adults to look up to. This is a problem and needs fixing. Historically, the younger generation has taken many of its cues from the older one. In a world where “adulting” is oftentimes viewed as optional, we need strong men and women that will show Gen Z’ers what grit and integrity look like. If we grown ups fail to rise to the challenge, not only will we owe today’s youth an apology, we’ll eventually reap some rotten fruit in our old age as the post-Millennial generations come of age.
I’ve Been to the Mountaintop by Martin Luther King Jr.
Earlier this week the world solemnly recognized the 50 year anniversary of Dr. King’s murder in Memphis, Tennessee. His now famous mountaintop speech was delivered just one day before his death, further solidifying its prescience and timeliness. Today, his words exhort a new generation of Americans. Dr. King, although an imperfect man, had a strong foundational understanding of justice, refusing to allow “separate but equal” policy to continue unchallenged. He recognized that man made laws must square with the moral laws and laws of God. At its most fundamental level, all public policy is an outgrowth of what one believes about the nature of mankind. If every person has an inherent value, then our laws must conform to a proper understanding of civil rights. Every American, irrespective of race or creed, owes Martin Luther King Jr. a debt for broadening our understanding of what human dignity means in society, in general, and government, in particular.
