Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium
Just how serious are the coming conflicts over religious liberty
stemming from gay marriage? Last month, Massachusetts told Catholic
Charities of Boston that it could not maintain its license to
perform adoption services unless it abided by the
anti-discrimination laws of the state, which in Massachusetts means
placing children with same-sex couples. This despite the fact that
placing children with same-sex couples violates Catholic teaching
and moral doctrine. The result is that Boston Catholic Charities is
getting out of the adoption business.
Is this episode an aberration or a sign of things to come? If
same-sex marriage is a civil right, then shouldn't the state punish
those who refuse to respect that right? The potential for religious
entities that adhere to traditional sexual morality is enormous:
radio broadcasting licenses, professional licenses, university
accreditation, even tax exempt status of faith-based charities. Is
this the legal path we have embarked on? If so, what is the fate of
religious liberty?
More About the Speakers
Maggie Gallagher
President,
Institute of Marriage and Public Policy
Anthony Picarello
President and General Counsel,
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
Jonathan Turley
J.B. and Maurice Shapiro
Professor of Public Interest Law,
George Washington University School of Law
Robin Wilson
Associate Professor of Law,
University of Maryland Law School
Hosted By
Matthew Spalding, Ph.D.
Vice President, American Studies and Director, B. Kenneth Simon Center for Principles and Politics
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