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2 episodes with Marci A Hamilton
3 episodes with Marci A Hamilton
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Author Marci A. Hamilton, Founder and CEO of CHILD USA, exploring her work and the mission to improve laws and public policy to end child abuse and neglect._____LINKShttps://childusa.orgARTICLES WRITTEN BY MARCI A. HAMILTONVia The Guardian: Mike Johnson, theocrat: the House speaker and a plot against AmericaVia The Guardian ‘Warped history': how the US supreme court justified gutting gay rightsBOOKS BY MARCI A. HAMILTONJustice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect its ChildrenGod vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty_____MARCI A. HAMILTON is the Founder and CEO of CHILD USA, www.childusa.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit academic think tank dedicated to interdisciplinary, evidence-based research to improve laws and public policy to end child abuse and neglect. She is also the Fels Institute of Government Professor of Practice, and Fox Family Pavilion Resident Senior Fellow in the Program for Research on Religion at the University of Pennsylvania. Before moving to Penn, ProfI have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said.Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth.Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of Fall In Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy. Learn more at https://www.lovechildrenplanet.comFollow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer PodcastLove In Common Podcast with Frank Schaeffer, Ernie Gregg, and Erin Bagwell
Do evangelical Christians hold political views that are "wildly extreme"? If the sanctity of human life and the institution of marriage being solely between one man and one woman are extreme, then the answer is a resounding yes! Jihadist terrorism on the other hand? Not so much. Since when did defending basic human rights, freedom of religion, and free speech become extreme? Furthermore, why is the left so hesitant to condemn such heinous acts against humanity, even as those acts continue to threaten western civilization as we know it? In this midweek podcast episode, Frank continues the discussion on attorney Marci A. Hamilton's hit piece that accused House Speaker, Mike Johnson, of pushing theocracy in America. What are some of the glaring inconsistencies within Hamilton's recent article? Is all religious truth irrational? Why did science arise in the Christian world but not the Muslim world? Frank will tackle all these questions and show more video evidence that representative Johnson is not at all guilty of being a theocrat. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It's the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Are Christian politicians plotting to turn America into a theocracy? That's precisely what the woke media outlets want you to think, often accusing Christians of trying to violate the “separation of church and state". They also accuse Christians of trying to legislate morality. But if Christians and conservatives don't have the "right" to legislate morality, who does? House Speaker, Mike Johnson, was recently accused of being a theocrat in an article published by The Guardian titled 'Mike Johnson, Theocrat: The House Speaker and a Plot Against America.' In this week's podcast episode, Frank reviews the scathing article that was written by attorney Marci A. Hamilton who analyzes an old clip from Representative Mike Johnson. Frank will also address questions like: What is the true definition of a theocracy? Should principles found in the Bible be eradicated from all public policy? What objective source do Leftists and atheists have for public policy? Is the "separation of church and state" in the constitution and is it even an issue? Is there a difference between legislating religion and legislating morality? Were the founding fathers anti-religious? Does the Bible advise Christians to establish a theocracy? Listen as Frank addresses some of the erroneous charges made against Mike Johnson and unpacks some of the political, moral, and apologetic implications of Hamilton's accusations. Who exactly is the moral authority for non-Christians and those on the far left? All this and more will be discussed in this thought-provoking episode! To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It's the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.
Sam talks with writer Sarah Posner about Mike Johnson, the new Speaker of the House, third in line to the presidency and Christian Nationalist who spent around a decade as a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom (sic), the organization behind the recent wave of state level anti-abortion legislation, the 303 Creative SCOTUS case, and on the wrong side of many other battles. Read Sarah's book UNHOLY: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Presidency, And the Devastating Legacy They Left Behind, get her latest commentary on MSNBC, and follow her on sarahposner.com. Mentioned in this episode: Mike Johnson's Christian nationalist track record isn't a mystery — it's a tragedy by Sarah Posner on MSNBC Mike Johnson, theocrat: the House speaker and a plot against America by Marci A. Hamilton in The Guardian White Christian Nationalism, Now with a Gavel in a Tailored Suit by Robert P. Jones How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support: · paypal.me/refusefascism · donate.refusefascism.org · patreon.com/refusefascism Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown Related episodes: The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet The Insurrectionist House of Representatives with Thomas Zimmer The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism --And What Comes Next with Bradley Onishi American Crusades & the Supreme Court with Andrew Seidel --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/refuse-fascism/message
Over the past five years, sexual abuse scandals in sports have continuously been in the news. Whether swimming, tae kwon do, or most famously gymnastics, the variety of sports that have had such scandals point to a very uncomfortable truth that sports has inherent child protection issues, and that these unique vulnerabilities require unique prevention strategies to keep youth athletes safe. Courtney Kiehl, former elite gymnast, abuse survivor, and now an attorney and advocate for child victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse, joined us to discuss what makes youth athletes so vulnerable, and how we can help.What coaching strategies create toxic cultures, which discourage kids from speaking up about concerns? How does the lack of accountability at the club level allow offenders to move location and keep right on coaching? How does the weight of adult expectations—coaches, parents, and, yes, us, the viewers—make it so very difficult for kids to disclose even the most harrowing abuse? And where is there reason for hope and action to create a future for elite sport, and indeed all sport, that is healthy and safe? Take a listen.Topics in this episode:Origin story (1:46)What good coaching looks like (6:53)What makes athletes vulnerable (12:52)Who regulates sports (19:20)The bystander problem (28:17)What all athletes need (32:34)Parenting advice and the weight of expectations (33:52)Links:Courtney Kiehl, Esq., is an attorney at Paul Mones PC in California, a legal firm that specializes in representing victims of child sexual abuse. Prior to joining the firm, she founded A.C.H.E. (Abused Children Heard Everywhere) as a response to her own experience with sexual abuse by her gymnastics coach. She served as a fellow for CHILD USA's Game Over: Commission to Protect Youth Athletes.Game Over Commission; in January 2022, the commission released a case study on the abuse perpetrated by Larry NassarU.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)National governing bodiesU.S. Center for SafeSportRelated episodes: “The True Cost of Olympic Gold,” about the Game Over Commission's report; an interview with Prof. Marci A. Hamilton, founder and CEO of CHILD USA and (February 25, 2022)“Radically Vulnerable: Achieving Justice for Survivors” with Prof. Hamilton (September 30, 2019)For more information about National Children's Alliance and the work of Children's Advocacy Centers, visit our website at NationalChildrensAlliance.org. Or visit our podcast website at OneInTenPodcast.org. And join us on Facebook at One in Ten podcast.Support the show
In recent years, how we look at the Olympics and elite sports has begun to change—driven by cases like that of Larry Nassar, the team doctor who for years and years got away with sexually assaulting and sexually abusing girls and young women. Marci Hamilton, the founder and CEO of CHILD USA, a think tank dedicated to child abuse and neglect, lead a case autopsy, conducted by subject-matter experts to find out how this was allowed to happen. And how can we prevent it from ever happening again? The Game Over Commission explored the toxic culture of sports, which values medals and money over athlete well-being. Hamilton joined us to discuss what the commission discovered, and what must be done to allow children and young adults to experience the joy of sports without the danger of abuse. Take a listen.Topics in this episode:The Larry Nassar case (2:28)Game Over Commission (3:44)Toxic culture in elite sports (7:27)The economics of sports and pressures on athletes (12:41)Near-zero regulation (17:44)What parents need to know (27:17)Total power, zero oversight: Team doctors (29:17)Best child protection policies? (38:55)Bankruptcy used against victims (40:44) Links:Prof. Marci A. Hamilton at the University of Pennsylvania is the founder, CEO, and academic director of CHILD USA, a nonprofit academic think tank. She is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children.The biographies of those who testified before the commission are available online, including those of Larissa Boyce and John-Michael Lander.Footage of the hearings is also available on the CHILD USA site.In January 2022, Game Over Commission released a case study on the abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar.Bishop AccountabilityAAU – Amateur Athletic UnionIOC – International Olympic CommitteeNCAA – National Collegiate Athletic AssociationUSOC – U.S. Olympic CommitteeUSOPC – U.S. Olympic & Paralympic CommitteeListen to our earlier interview with Dr. Marci Hamilton, “Radically Vulnerable: Achieving Justice for Survivors,” Season 1, Episode 10 (September 30, 2019)For more information about National Children's Alliance and the work of Children's Advocacy Centers, visit our website at NationalChildrensAlliance.org. Or visit our podcast website at OneInTenPodcast.org. And join us on Facebook at One in Ten podcast.Support the show (https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/donate-now/)
Is the COVID vaccine safe for children? Will there be enough doses in the U.S.? CHILD USA Founder and CEO Marci A. Hamilton asks vaccination expert Paul A. Offit, MD the questions we've all been wondering about COVID vaccines.
Episode 110: “Radically Vulnerable: Achieving Justice for Survivors.” The legal landscape has started to change for survivors of child sexual abuse. Are we headed in the right direction? And what do we need to do to keep more children safe? We talked to legal scholar Marci Hamilton from CHILD USA about the progress that’s been made—and what needs to happen next.Topics in this episode:· Many adult survivors had no legal remedy. (1:39)· Statute of limitations (SOL) reform—and who opposes it. (4:35)· How do SOL windows work? (10:29)· Top public policy aims. (14:27)· How to help adult survivors. (17:45)· Youth sports and other fields where kids are radically vulnerable. (20:30)· Game Over Commission. (27:00)· Advice for institutions. (29:10)· What do we most need to understand? (31:33)· Our next episode topic. (32:42)Links:Prof. Marci A. Hamilton at the University of Pennsylvania is the founder, CEO, and academic director of CHILD USA, a nonprofit academic think tank. She is the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children.The Boston Globe Spotlight report on clergy sex abuse (2002).Catholic Charities.New York’s Child Victims Act took effect on August 14, 2019.childusa.org/law has information on child protection laws across the United States.Child Welfare Information Gateway information on mandated reporting.New York Survivor Tool Kit.Game Over Commission.Leaving Neverland documentary.At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal.U.S. Center for SafeSport.Dr. Earl Bradley, former pediatrician and convicted child molester.Studies from Michigan State University, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and Congress (“The Courage of Survivors” Senate Olympics Investigation, July 30, 2019).
Aaron Freiwald, Managing Partner of Freiwald Law and host of the weekly podcast series Good Law | Bad Law, is joined by Marci A. Hamilton, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the country’s leading experts on child abuse statutes of limitations, to discuss the Catholic Church, specifically in regards to the recently released Grand Jury report on child abuse and sexual assault in the Catholic Church institution in Pennsylvania. Marci and Aaron sit down to discuss the impact and importance of the Grand Jury’s report as well as the historical significance it holds. The first of its kind the report is the most extensive look at the scope of the issue. Detailed in 886 pages, the report outlines the scale of the problem with over 300 priests named and listing over 1,000 victims. Throughout the episode Marci details her previous experience with child sex abuse cases and the injustices that she has seen as a result of short statutes of limitations, expressing her own opinions on the report and the steps that should be taken next. For 26 years Marci has worked on issues involving religious groups that break the law. In 1997, Marci argued before the United States Supreme Court in the matter Boerne v. Flores, a case addressing whether or not the federal government could pass a law that could set a standard for religious liberty that had never been seen in the U.S. before. An accomplished author, Marci has written several books on the issue as well as a book advocating for the elimination of child sex abuse statutes of limitations. Marci has been an influential critic of extreme religious liberty, advocating for the vulnerable. Join in as Aaron and Marci discuss the recent Grand Jury report on child sex abuse in Pennsylvania, the problems with short statues of limitations in regards to child sex abuse cases and the impact that Tuesday’s Grand Jury report could have on this global epidemic. Host: Aaron Freiwald Guest: Marci A. Hamilton Follow Good Law | Bad Law: YouTube: Good Law | Bad Law Instagram: @GoodLawBadLaw Website: https://www.law-podcast.com
Lamont Banks, Cliff Stewart, and Lisa Stewart of the Colorado exoneration firm A Just Cause discuss what happens when the wheels of justice trample unbridled over the rights of innocent Americans. Although the American system of justice is the most-respected worldwide, it is still a system designed, and operated, by humans, which means it's not perfect. Lamont, Cliff, and Lisa will highlight ongoing struggles against "the system" and what happens when justice miscarries against our American citizens. Our Special Guest for tonight's show is Professor Marci A. Hamilton, who is one of the United States’ leading church/state scholars and holds the Paul R. Verkuil Research Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. A Just Cause is currently campaigning for "FreeTheIRP6," who are wrongly imprisoned in Florence, CO for a crime they didn't commit. Read full story: www.freetheirp6.org. For more information, about A Just Cause and to Donate to the IRP6 legal defense fund, visit www.a-justcause.com. Follow us on Twitter: @AJCRadio, @A_JustCause, @FreeTheeIRP6, @FreeeTheIRP6 and Like our Facebook Pages: https://www.facebook.com/AJustCauseCoast2Coast, and https://www.facebook.com/AJustCauseCO, https://www.facebook.com/FreetheIRP6 Thank you for your support!
Tonight's special guest is Marci A. Hamilton from NY, a returning NAASCA family member, an attorney and professor who's a national leader for legislative reform -- particularly Statute of Limitations reform -- through her website (www.sol-reform.com) -- for the protection of children from sex abuse. She's also the author of "Justice Denied: What America Must Do To Protect Its Children" and "God vs the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty." Professor Hamilton has served as constitutional and federal law counsel in many important clergy sex abuse and religious land use cases in state and federal courts, and has testified before numerous state legislatures regarding elimination of the statutes of limitations for childhood sex abuse. She is frequently asked to advise Congress. She is an author, lecturer, and advocate on the protection of the vulnerable from religious institutions. During 2012, she was honored as one of Pennsylvania's Women of the Year, and received the National Crime Victim Bar Association's Frank Carrington Champion of Civil Justice Award. Professor Hamilton is the co-editor of "Fundamentalism, Politics and the Law" (2011). She is currently a bi-monthly columnist for www.justia.com and was a bi-monthly columnist for www.findlaw.com for ten years.
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that's nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can't shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can't ban a putatively religious practice just because it's expedient to do so. So where's the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it's shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that's nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can't shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can't ban a putatively religious practice just because it's expedient to do so. So where's the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it's shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in.
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that's nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can't shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can't ban a putatively religious practice just because it's expedient to do so. So where's the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it's shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that’s nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can’t shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can’t ban a putatively religious practice just because it’s expedient to do so. So where’s the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it’s shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that’s nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can’t shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can’t ban a putatively religious practice just because it’s expedient to do so. So where’s the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it’s shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that’s nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can’t shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can’t ban a putatively religious practice just because it’s expedient to do so. So where’s the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it’s shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that’s nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can’t shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can’t ban a putatively religious practice just because it’s expedient to do so. So where’s the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it’s shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The constitution guarantees Americans freedom of religious practice and freedom from government interference in the same same. But what does religious liberty mean in practice? Does it mean that the government must permit any religious practice, even one that’s nominally illegal? Clearly not. You can’t shoot someone even if God tells you to. Does it mean, then, that religious liberty is a sort of fiction and that the government can actually closely circumscribe religious practice? Clearly not. The government can’t ban a putatively religious practice just because it’s expedient to do so. So where’s the line? In God vs. the Gavel: The Perils of Extreme Religious Liberty (Cambridge University Press, Second Edition, 2014), Marci A. Hamilton argues that it’s shifting rapidly. Traditionally, the government, congress, and courts agreed that though Americans should enjoy extensive religious freedom, that freedom did not include license to do anything the religious might like. A sensible accommodation between church and state had to be made so that both the church and state could do their important work. According to Hamilton, in recent decades radical religious reformers have mounted a successful campaign to throw the idea of a sensible accommodation out the window. They have expanded the scope of religious liberty and thereby limited the ability of the government to protect citizens generally. In this sense, she says, religion–a force for great social good, in her mind–has been made into an instrument of harm for many Americans. Listen in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tonight's special guest is Marci A. Hamilton from NY, an attorney who's leading the battle to eliminate the Statute of Limitations for issues of child abuse. Professor Hamilton has served as constitutional and federal law counsel in many important clergy sex abuse and religious land use cases in state and federal courts, and has testified before numerous state legislatures regarding elimination of the statutes of limitations for childhood sex abuse. She is frequently asked to advise Congress. She is an author, lecturer, and advocate on the protection of the vulnerable from religious institutions. She is also a national leader for legislative reform -- particularly Statute of Limitations reform through her website www.sol-reform.com -- for the protection of children from sex abuse. During 2012, she was honored as one of Pennsylvania's Women of the Year, and received the National Crime Victim Bar Association's Frank Carrington Champion of Civil Justice Award. Professor Hamilton is the author of "Justice Denied: What America Must Do Tp Protect Its Children" (2012); "God VS. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law" (2005, 2007); and the co-editor of "Fundamentalism, Politics and the Law" (2011). She is currently a bi-monthly columnist for www.justia.com and was a bi-monthly columnist for www.findlaw.com for ten years.
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