The Empty Idea of Equality Meets the Unbearable Fullness of Religion

The essay argues that religion is a much “fuller” concept than equality, as substantial and weighty as equality is derivative and hollow. The empty, tautological, misleading, but rhetorically powerful nature of equality was compellingly demonstrated by Peter Westen, a generation ago. It is ironic th...

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Dettagli Bibliografici
Autore principale: Ahdar, Rex J. (Autore)
Tipo di documento: Elettronico Articolo
Lingua:Inglese
Verificare la disponibilità: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Pubblicazione: 2016
In: Journal of law, religion and state
Anno: 2016, Volume: 4, Fascicolo: 2, Pagine: 146-178
Altre parole chiave:B Equality equal treatment religious freedom hierarchies of rights
Accesso online: Volltext (Publisher)
Edizione parallela:Non elettronico
Descrizione
Riepilogo:The essay argues that religion is a much “fuller” concept than equality, as substantial and weighty as equality is derivative and hollow. The empty, tautological, misleading, but rhetorically powerful nature of equality was compellingly demonstrated by Peter Westen, a generation ago. It is ironic that, despite the manifest inadequacy of equality as an independent good, in the increasingly strident clashes between religionists and those asserting claims based on equal treatment, or freedom from discrimination, the former tend to lose on the whole. All rights are said to be on the same level. As the courts repeatedly pronounce, there is no hierarchy. But the empirical experience of the Kulturkampf belies that assertion. This essay seeks to return the contest to a more even playing field by demystifying some of the ascendant-like claims of equality in contemporary rights disputes.
Descrizione fisica:Online-Ressource
ISSN:2212-4810
Comprende:In: Journal of law, religion and state
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/22124810-00402002