http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2010/03/01/good-intentions/ Secularism, religion, and the public sphere Thu, 16 May 2013 19:41:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2010/03/01/good-intentions/comment-page-1/#comment-11180 Maaike Ravesteijn Thu, 06 May 2010 03:32:10 +0000 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/?p=9064#comment-11180 Abdullahi notes one of the most highly debated topics when it comes to American imperialism, which is the way in which the US approaches worldwide enforcement of religious freedom. It is only natural that we aim to see parallels between our nation’s values and the values of other countries across the globe. Yet, when we act on a solely “American” ideal to enforce a parallel structure when it comes to religious freedom, that is when we have gone to far. If the United States wants to try and spread what we believe is an essential freedom that all people should be granted, then we have to work with these nations, and come to a formal agreement based on what the country in question wants. The ideals that guide American Civil Religion play a large part in our nation’s tendency to point out flaws in the Civil Religion of other nations. Adbullahi was correct when he explained that American exceptionalism seems to cloud our judgment. As with the case of enforcing democracy across the globe, we often mistake a sense of what “works” for what is “right.” An article by Azar Gat, titled “The Return of Authoritatian Great Powers,” offers the idea that America only has the power we have today because everything has simply “worked” for our nation. If we didn’t have the power we did, maybe democracy would not be the most successful form of government today, and in extension, maybe our views on how to enforce religious freedom would also not hold.

]]> http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2010/03/01/good-intentions/comment-page-1/#comment-8690 Nick (Klaus) Veltjens Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:01:17 +0000 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/?p=9064#comment-8690 Hear, hear, Abdullahi. A structural or social change within a people must be achieved by internal discourse and negotiation. This will allow this change to take place in accordance with the history and culture of the regional populations. This does not mean that external influences should not be included in the discourse, but requires all actors to be on an equal footing without fear or favour. Then true consensus (rather than overlapping consensus) can be achieved.

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