Review
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Title: Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination
Author: John Corvino, Ryan T. Anderson, and Sherif Girgis
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Genre: Academic
Year Published: 2017
Number of Pages: 352
Binding: Softcover
ISBN13: 9780190603076
Price: $21.95
Reviewed by Gabriel González for the Association for Mormon Letters
The book addresses an issue that is very much on the front lines of the culture war in the United States: the conflict between the rights of religiously conservative citizens and the rights of LGBT citizens. Recent legal developments in the US granting same-sex couples the right to marry have created a number of conflicts between LGBT persons and those who, for religious reasons, do not believe in same-sex marriage. These conflicts garner lots of media attention (think Kim Davis not wanting to sign marriage licenses in her Kentucky county) and public interest. This may change over time, of course, but right now it’s a hot-button issue, and this book takes it on explicitly and unapologetically.
The book does so in a refreshingly insightful way. In the current culture war, the debate often becomes heated and is reduced to simplistic one-liners (think “love the person not the parts” or “God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve”). In this book, a leading voice for LGBT rights (John Corvino) and two leading voices for religious rights (Ryan T. Anderson and Sherif Girgis) square off in a very level-headed, painstakingly developed presentation of their arguments. The work is thus labeled a “point counter-point book,” in which both sides are given equal time.
The book begins with an introduction to the issue itself, including an overview of the troubled history of religious freedom in the US. Then Corvino takes the pen and presents his views in favor of not allowing very many religious exceptions to anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBT individuals. After that, Anderson and Girgis present their views on religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws that would help preserve the conscience of religious individuals without incurring material harm to LGBT individuals. Both sides are allowed one final, shorter section at the end to counter the arguments presented by the other side.
All authors go out of their way to signal their respect for their counter author(s). This approach is refreshing for two reasons. First of all, it shows that people can vehemently disagree about some fundamental notions while still retaining their civility toward each other. Second, it shows that the issues are extremely complex and any quick, 30-second answer to them is likely to be faulty.
In light of the depth of the book, it would not be very helpful for me to try to summarize its arguments in this short review. I will simply point something out about them. Corvino’s views are informed by the belief that there is nothing particularly special about religious belief that should allow people to not follow generally applicable, anti-discrimination laws. He is concerned that current Religious Freedom Restoration Acts are a get-out-of-jail free card for those who seek to discriminate against LGBT people. In turn, Anderson and Girgis are informed by the belief that society can find ways to protect conscience (including religious belief) while still empowering the oppressed against discrimination. They are concerned that sexual orientation and gender identity laws are the growing majority’s way of silencing dissenting religious views.
Because of the complexity of the issues and the well-thought treatment they are given, this book is a challenging one. The authors do a very good job of defending their views. This means that their explorations are not easily dismissed. In other words, anyone who comes to this book with the idea that he or she has it all figured out will probably realize that it is likely no one has it all figured out in terms of the intersection between the right to religious freedom and LGBT rights.
The book is also challenging because, while it’s written for the lay person, it does get a bit dense sometimes. Interestingly enough, it’s not the legal issues that can be hard to follow but some of the philosophical discussion. (In a way, that is to be expected from a book written by political philosophers.) Hopefully this will not be a deterrent for potential readers.
The book is definitely worth reading. It addresses a key and relevant controversy in a thoughtful and civil manner. In the end, no matter on which side of the debate an individual reader might fall, he or she will more than likely be well served by the ideas found in its pages.
Corvino, Anderson, and Girgis’ *Debating Religious Liberty and Discrimination* is a timely, insightful, and challenging book.