On July 4, RealClear Politics published an article, "SCOTUS Upholds Washington's Promise of Religious Liberty," by Professor Mark Rienzi. The article looks at the America George Washington promised—one in which people of different beliefs can live and work in peace, and without coercion to violate their faith through the lens of the recent SCOTUS opinions for Groff v. DeJoy and 303 Creative v. Elenis.
RealClear Politics
Date: July 4, 2023
By: Mark Rienzi
SCOTUS Upholds Washington's Promise of Religious Liberty
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Early in our history, President George Washington wrote to a small Jewish congregation in Rhode Island about his pride that the young nation would respect religious liberty for everyone, including religious minorities. Last week, in between hotly contested decisions about other topics, all nine justices agreed on key principles of religious liberty that are worthy of Washington’s prediction, and worthy of celebration this Fourth of July.
Washington wrote that Americans should be proud of showing the world “an enlarged and liberal policy” by protecting religious liberty. Rather than mere “toleration”—"as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent rights”—Washington promised a government that “gives bigotry no sanction” and “persecution no assistance.” Allowing everyone to fully participate in society while living out their varied religious beliefs would help us “become a great and happy people.”
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Click here to view the article.