Steven
D. Smith is one of our most powerful critics of contemporary liberal
theory. He has an acute sense of the hidden flaws and gaps in
contemporary conventional wisdom. Even those who disagree must, if they
are honest, carefully consider his arguments.
In his most recent work, he claims that, in our political culture, the case for the
specific protection of religious liberty, as opposed to liberty under
other descriptions, has been undermined. As a consequence, he fears
that although some freedoms will survive, freedom of religion as such
may cease to exist.
Even if his argument is sound, his fears are misplaced. He overstates the importance of one school of theorists for the future of our civilization.
My full response to Smith can be found here.