Religious exemptions have a long history in American law, but have become especially controversial over the last several years. The essays in this volume address the moral and philosophical issues that the legal practice of religious exemptions often raises.
Although it is often charged with hostility toward religion, First Amendment doctrine in fact treats religion as a distinctive human good. It insists, however, that this good be understood abstractly, without the state taking sides on any theological question. Here, a leading scholar of constitutional law explains the logic of this uniquely American form of neutrality—more religion-centered than liberal theorists propose, and less overtly theistic than conservatives advocate. The First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion is under threat. Growing numbers of critics, including a near-majority of the Supreme Court, seem ready to cast aside the ideal of American religious neutrality. Andrew Koppelman defends that ideal and explains why protecting religion from political manipulation is imperative in an America of growing religious diversity. Understanding American religious neutrality, Koppelman shows, can explain some familiar puzzles. How can Bible reading in public schools be impermissible while legislative sessions begin with prayers, Christmas is an official holiday, and the words “under God” appear in the Pledge of Allegiance? Are faith-based social services, public financing of religious schools, or the teaching of intelligent design constitutional? Combining legal, historical, and philosophical analysis, Koppelman shows how law coherently navigates these conundrums. He explains why laws must have a secular legislative purpose, why old, but not new, ceremonial acknowledgments of religion are permitted, and why it is fair to give religion special treatment.
This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. The 111th Congress has considered the issue of possible exemptions to fed. photo ID requirements. Contents of this report: (1) Legal Protections for Religious Exercise: Free Exercise Clause; Religious Freedom Restoration Act; (2) Religious Objections to Photo ID Requirements: Analysis of Religious Objections to Photo Requirements; Judicial Considerations in State Driver¿s License Exemption Claims; Strictness of the Underlying Religious Doctrine; Avail. of Other Exemptions or Alternative Methods of ID; (3) Is an Exemption Required for Fed. ID Requirements?; Lawsuits Challenging Photo Requirements; Lawsuits Challenging Photo Requirements Post-9/11; Potential Exemptions to Fed. Photo Requirements.
This open access book discusses individual, collective, and institutional responsibilities with regard to vaccination from the perspective of philosophy and public health ethics. It addresses the issue of what it means for a collective to be morally responsible for the realisation of herd immunity and what the implications of collective responsibility are for individual and institutional responsibilities. The first chapter introduces some key concepts in the vaccination debate, such as ‘herd immunity’, ‘public goods’, and ‘vaccine refusal’; and explains why failure to vaccinate raises certain ethical issues. The second chapter analyses, from a philosophical perspective, the relationship between individual, collective, and institutional responsibilities with regard to the realisation of herd immunity. The third chapter is about the principle of least restrictive alternative in public health ethics and its implications for vaccination policies. Finally, the fourth chapter presents an ethical argument for unqualified compulsory vaccination, i.e. for compulsory vaccination that does not allow for any conscientious objection. The book will appeal to philosophers interested in public health ethics and the general public interested in the philosophical underpinning of different arguments about our moral obligations with regard to vaccination.
This book explores emerging conflicts about religious liberty and discrimination. In point-counterpoint format, it brings together longtime LGBT rights advocate John Corvino and rising conservative thinkers Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis to debate Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRAs), anti-discrimination law, and age-old questions about identity, morality, and society.
The Public Health Foundation (PHF) in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to announce the availability of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 13th Edition or “The Pink Book” E-Book. This resource provides the most current, comprehensive, and credible information on vaccine-preventable diseases, and contains updated content on immunization and vaccine information for public health practitioners, healthcare providers, health educators, pharmacists, nurses, and others involved in administering vaccines. “The Pink Book E-Book” allows you, your staff, and others to have quick access to features such as keyword search and chapter links. Online schedules and sources can also be accessed directly through e-readers with internet access. Current, credible, and comprehensive, “The Pink Book E-Book” contains information on each vaccine-preventable disease and delivers immunization providers with the latest information on: Principles of vaccination General recommendations on immunization Vaccine safety Child/adult immunization schedules International vaccines/Foreign language terms Vaccination data and statistics The E-Book format contains all of the information and updates that are in the print version, including: · New vaccine administration chapter · New recommendations regarding selection of storage units and temperature monitoring tools · New recommendations for vaccine transport · Updated information on available influenza vaccine products · Use of Tdap in pregnancy · Use of Tdap in persons 65 years of age or older · Use of PCV13 and PPSV23 in adults with immunocompromising conditions · New licensure information for varicella-zoster immune globulin Contact [email protected] for more information. For more news and specials on immunization and vaccines visit the Pink Book's Facebook fan page
A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.
In The Religion Clauses, Erwin Chemerinsky and Howard Gillman examine the extremely controversial issue of the relationship between religion and government. They argue for a separation of church and state. To the greatest extent possible, the government should remain secular. At the same, time they contend that religion should not provide a basis for an exemptions from general laws, such as those prohibiting discrimination or requiring the provision of services.