Religious meddling: a comment on Skene and Parker

• Published in: Journal of medical ethics Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 221 - 222
• Main Author: Coady, C A J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics 01.08.2002; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Amicus curiae; Australia; Bias; Bioethics; Catholicism; Christianity; Christianity and law; Churches; Civil Rights - legislation & jurisprudence; Communities; Democracy; Democratic authority; Ethical aspects; Humans; Jurisprudence; Labor unions; law; Legal systems; Liberalism; Medical ethics; Neutrality; Philosophers; Policy Making; Political debate; Politics; Public Policy; Religion; Religion and law; Religion and Medicine; Religion, the Law, and Medical Ethics; Religious aspects; Religious laws; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted - legislation & jurisprudence; Special Symposium: Religion, the Law, and Medical Ethics; Australia; Legal Approach; Religious Approach; Bioethics and Professional Ethics; Analytical Approach
• ISSN: 0306-6800; 1473-4257
• DOI: 10.1136/jme.28.4.221

The question of churches resorting to the courts to influence public policy is one that concerns the appropriate role of the courts and the appropriate conduct of religious authorities. I agree with Skene and Parker that there is no principled legal reason to exclude such interventions out of hand; but my comments are principally addressed to the political and religious reasons for being rightly concerned about such activity. These advert both to the nature of the liberal democratic compromise and to the nature and scope of religious authority (at least within Christianity).