Applying the Concepts of Conservatism and Liberalism

Applying Concepts of Conservatism and Liberalism
Name
Institution

Applying Concepts of Conservatism and Liberalism
Summary
The article chosen is titled ACLU Distorts the Purpose of a Federal Effort to Protect Religious Liberty. This article was written by Margot Cleveland in 2018. The main theme of this article is religious freedom and the impact of the ACLU on Federal efforts geared towards achieving this liberty. The article begins with reaction to the recent constitution of an agency known as the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division by the Department of Health and Human Services. The central duty of this agency is enforcing Federal laws related to the protection of religious freedom and independence as well as conscience rights. The article then recounts some of the notable reactions to this move. It quotes Melling who argued that religious groups must also be bound by the laws of the nation (Cleveland, 2018). It is at this point that Cleveland then introduces the issue of ACLU’s moves, aimed at limiting the liberties of religions. For instance, the article points out that ACLU is on record for filing many lawsuits in the blatant attack on the accommodations of religions by the government. The most recent one is ACLU’s challenge to the religious exemption from birth-control requirements of Obamacare allowed by Donald Trump. ACLU also vehemently opposed the government grants to Catholic Bishops in the recent past. Therefore, the main argument presented by Cleveland is that ACLU is inclined towards frustrating Federal efforts aimed at giving religions independence and liberty.

Analysis
This article has got both conservative and the liberal points of view. The conservative theme is that religious bodies and the clergy are not supposed to be bound by laws. It is quite traditional for Cleveland to argue that by demanding religions to be subjected to laws, one engages in actions geared towards limiting the freedom of these groups. This argument is quite uncivilized because it is detached from the reality of the contemporary days. Today, the members of society cannot live in harmony and peace if some groups are placed above the laws. Moreover, this argument is quite conservative because it ignores the reality that human beings have become quite dishonest and no person can be left to voluntarily be responsible. There must be laws guiding all behaviours and actions of human beings. Therefore, whereas the government is well-meaning by fostering the freedom of religious groups, its method is conservative and not prudent.
There is also a liberal perspective presented in this particular article. This liberal view is the belief in the freedom and independence of the church shown by Cleveland. Discernibly, this article is advocating for the liberties of the church. It implies that Cleveland is liberal-minded and believes the religions in the country need full liberty as well as independence in order to have an upright society. It is based on this liberal view that Cleveland criticizes the behaviour and actions of ACLU. He believes such actions are highly detrimental to the course of achieving church freedom. There are many places where the religious groups are not given any space to enjoy liberty. In such places, it is rare to find opinions advocating for the liberty as it is in the current article. Therefore, liberalism is about believing and championing the freedoms of religions through condemning actions limiting the efforts of fostering this liberty.

Reference
Cleveland, M. (2018). ACLU Distorts the Purpose of a Federal Effort to Protect Religious Liberty. National Review. http://www.nationalreview.com/article/455589/conscience-religious-freedom-division-health-human-service-office-civil-rights-aclu-threatens-lawsuit.