RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Religious meddling: a comment on Skene and Parker
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 221
OP 222
DO 10.1136/jme.28.4.221
VO 28
IS 4
A1 Coady, C A J
YR 2002
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/28/4/221.abstract
AB The question of churches resorting to the courts to influence public policy is one that concerns the appropriate role of the courts and the appropriate conduct of religious authorities. I agree with Skene and Parker that there is no principled legal reason to exclude such interventions out of hand; but my comments are principally addressed to the political and religious reasons for being rightly concerned about such activity. These advert both to the nature of the liberal democratic compromise and to the nature and scope of religious authority (at least within Christianity).