Legislators and Religious-Based Reasoning

Authors

  • Diana Ginn Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
  • David Blaikie Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
  • Micah Goldstein Holds a JD from the Schulich School of Law and is currently articling with the Ontario Attorney General (2012-2013).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21991/C95T0S

Abstract

In a secular, multicultural, liberal democratic society founded on the rule of law, is it appropriate for legislators (or political candidates) to refer to religious beliefs or texts when discussing a government initiative or urging action on a particular issue? Such references might be used for various purposes: to explain the speakers’ own beliefs; to emphasize that an issue has been around for a long time and therefore should be taken seriously; to elucidate historical influences on a particular law; or to give weight to a particular argument by buttressing it with religious authority. In Canada today, do ethics, law, or political theory offer persuasive reasons to limit any such references to religion in parliamentary debate or political campaigning?

Author Biographies

Diana Ginn, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Professor

David Blaikie, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Assistant Professor

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Published

2013-01-25

Issue

Section

Articles