One thing that is distinctive about religiously-affiliated schools is that we very often discriminate in hiring. Specifically, in diverse ways, we favor members of our faith over those who are not a part of that faith. Within our group, we vary from schools that have almost no religious favoritism in hiring to those who hire only from members of the faith (or those willing to live under its strictures). My own school, Baylor, is probably more towards the restrictive end of this continuum-- our University demands a relatively close inspection of a candidate's faith, and our current law faculty contains no non-Christians.
Critics of this type of discrimination properly point out that it limits the viewpoints a student is exposed to, and may restrict the debate within the faculty.
However, those problems are costs which many institutions are willing to bear in order to retain their denominational identity, foster the views professed by the sponsoring faith, and provide diversity to the larger national discussion on legal issues from a place of moral certainty.
What I wonder at times is how intentional all this is-- that is, are we sure we are getting the benefits that would justify the costs?
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Throwing Bombs
As I read legal scholarship these days, I see many pieces analyzing doctrines, tracing historical developments, seeking adjustments to parts of rules or laws, and suggesting new "perspectives," but very few that broadly attack a law or practice as fundamentally unjust. We have many exceptional analysts and commentators, but few bomb-throwers, and those that exist often are outside the core of elite institutions.
It could be that we are fortunate enough to live in a nation without unjust laws, but I doubt that many of us would truly agree with that statement. Given that most of us would agree that there are unjust laws, why are we not more focused on attacking them? I suspect that at least two factors dampen the excitement for overarching reform within legal scholarship.
First, we do live in a society where the laws are the product of a democratic process. Thus, if we identify a law as unjust, we are suggesting either a flaw in the process or that the majority of people in our nation are not only wrong about something, but at some level that they are fundamentally, morally wrong. Understandably, we are reluctant to attack our democracy or our fellow citizens.
Second, to call a law unjust requires a position from which to determine justice as a moral position. Legal philosophers discuss this in depth, but generally not in connection to a live issue, while the rest of us are often uncomfortable with the ideas of positivism or natural law, and certainly loath to connect a contemporary debate to either.
It does seem to me that many of the worthwhile challenges to unjust law is coming from those speaking from a position of faith. It could be that this is a particular strength of ours, and one that we should consciously encourage amongst our members, while acknowledging that there will likely be divergent views about which laws are unjust and for what reason.
-- Mark Osler
It could be that we are fortunate enough to live in a nation without unjust laws, but I doubt that many of us would truly agree with that statement. Given that most of us would agree that there are unjust laws, why are we not more focused on attacking them? I suspect that at least two factors dampen the excitement for overarching reform within legal scholarship.
First, we do live in a society where the laws are the product of a democratic process. Thus, if we identify a law as unjust, we are suggesting either a flaw in the process or that the majority of people in our nation are not only wrong about something, but at some level that they are fundamentally, morally wrong. Understandably, we are reluctant to attack our democracy or our fellow citizens.
Second, to call a law unjust requires a position from which to determine justice as a moral position. Legal philosophers discuss this in depth, but generally not in connection to a live issue, while the rest of us are often uncomfortable with the ideas of positivism or natural law, and certainly loath to connect a contemporary debate to either.
It does seem to me that many of the worthwhile challenges to unjust law is coming from those speaking from a position of faith. It could be that this is a particular strength of ours, and one that we should consciously encourage amongst our members, while acknowledging that there will likely be divergent views about which laws are unjust and for what reason.
-- Mark Osler
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Gearing up for AALS
Under the leadership of our own John Garvey of BC, the January AALS meeting sounds great. The theme is "institutional pluralism," and a part of that theme is the range of schools which includes the 49 religiously-affiliated law programs.
There can be little doubt among those of us active in RALS that we offer something different than state or other private schools, and that there is also great diversity even among our own ranks. One feature of our conferences I always find fascinating is the different answers we come to on questions we agree to be important. Those conversations are one good reason to keep our schools and our organization strong, vital, and engaged with the rest of the legal academy.
There can be little doubt among those of us active in RALS that we offer something different than state or other private schools, and that there is also great diversity even among our own ranks. One feature of our conferences I always find fascinating is the different answers we come to on questions we agree to be important. Those conversations are one good reason to keep our schools and our organization strong, vital, and engaged with the rest of the legal academy.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Christians and the Payday Loan Industry
I was interested to stumble across this fascinating article by Christopher Lewis Peterson and Steven Graves. Entitled Usury Law and the Christian Right: Faith Based Political Power and the Geography of the American Payday Loan Regulation, it centers aroung the striking finding that payday loan outlets are most often found in the same places where relative conservative Christians live. Here is part of the abstract:
This Article presents empirical research based on the largest, most comprehensive database of payday loan locations yet created. Payday lender locations are compared to an index measuring the political power of conservative Christian Americans in all fifty states. We conclude that there is a strong correlation between the density of payday lending industry and the political power of conservative Christians, suggesting that conservative Christians have become a prime demographic target of payday lenders. These findings are further discussed in light of Biblical injunctions against usury.
This Article presents empirical research based on the largest, most comprehensive database of payday loan locations yet created. Payday lender locations are compared to an index measuring the political power of conservative Christian Americans in all fifty states. We conclude that there is a strong correlation between the density of payday lending industry and the political power of conservative Christians, suggesting that conservative Christians have become a prime demographic target of payday lenders. These findings are further discussed in light of Biblical injunctions against usury.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
2010 at BYU!
I'm happy to announce that the 2010 RALS conference will be held at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. BYU has been an active and important part of RALS over the past several years, and will put on a great conference.
The date for the conference has not yet been selected. Building on a great meeting at BC, we are going to try for record numbers at BYU.
-- Mark Osler
The date for the conference has not yet been selected. Building on a great meeting at BC, we are going to try for record numbers at BYU.
-- Mark Osler
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thank you, Boston College!
The bi-annual RALS conference held this month was a wonderful success, thanks to the ace team at Boston College who hosted the event. The attendees left with a new vigor for our common project.
In the next week, I look forward to announcing here the site for the 2010 meeting.
In the next week, I look forward to announcing here the site for the 2010 meeting.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
BC Meeting Coming up soon!
The RALS conference at Boston College April 6-8 promises to be a great experience. It's not limited to those at Religiously Affiliated Schools, and those from secular schools have registered and attended in the past. All that is required is an interest in the subject matter...
For complete details and registration info, check the BC site here.
For complete details and registration info, check the BC site here.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
What's Shakin' at Univ. of Detroit/Mercy....
The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law welcomes Dr. Leslie Griffin, Larry and Joanne Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics, University of Houston Law Center to deliver the 10th Annual McElroy Lecture on Law & Religion, Tuesday, March 18, 2008 @ 5:30 PM
No Law Respecting the Practice of Religion
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” What if the drafters used the words “practice of religion” instead of “religion”? How would this change the jurisprudence surrounding this part of our Constitution? Dr. Leslie Griffin, Professor of Law at the University Houston Law Center will address this compelling question, focusing on government funding for religious organizations, public school prayer and free exercise claims. Through this exercise, Dr. Griffin will explore the meaning our courts have given to the term “religion” as they have addressed these critical issues.
For more information please contact Prof. Andrew Moore, (313)596-0220 or mooreaf@udmercy.edu
No Law Respecting the Practice of Religion
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” What if the drafters used the words “practice of religion” instead of “religion”? How would this change the jurisprudence surrounding this part of our Constitution? Dr. Leslie Griffin, Professor of Law at the University Houston Law Center will address this compelling question, focusing on government funding for religious organizations, public school prayer and free exercise claims. Through this exercise, Dr. Griffin will explore the meaning our courts have given to the term “religion” as they have addressed these critical issues.
For more information please contact Prof. Andrew Moore, (313)596-0220 or mooreaf@udmercy.edu
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
More Details on the BC Meeting!
Boston College has announced further details for the April 6-8 meeting of the Religiously Affiliated Law Schools. Check here for information on the event, including registration and lodging info.
Below is the schedule for the conference:
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008
5:00 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass, Trinity Chapel, BC Law School
(for those interested)
6:00 p.m. Opening Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner
SPEAKER: JOHN GARVEY, DEAN, BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL
TABLE DISCUSSION: IDENTIFY 10 THINGS YOU DO DIFFERENTLY AT YOUR LAW SCHOOL BECAUSE YOU ARE A RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED INSTITUTION
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. TEACHING THROUGH THE LENS OF FAITH: SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGING RELIGIOUS ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM
• Ladislas Orsy, S.J., Georgetown
• Mark Osler, Baylor
• Chaim Saiman, Villanova
• Amy Uelmen, Fordham
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Break and informal discussion
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. STUDENT VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT: SPARKING THE SPIRITUAL, MORAL, AND PROFESSIONAL FORMATION OF YOUNG ADULTS (AND US TOO!)
• Jeff Brauch, Dean, Regent
• R. Michael Cassidy, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Boston College and BC Law School students
• Natt Gant, Regent
• Jerome Organ, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Susan Stabile, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Ronald Volkmer, Creighton
12:30 p.m. LUNCH & SPEAKER: CUTBERTO GARZA, PROVOST, BOSTON COLLEGE, GASSON HALL, CHESTNUT HILL CAMPUS
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. HIRING (AND ADMITTING) FOR MISSION: WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW TO DO IT
• Mary Bowman, Seattle Univ.
• Cari Haaland, Director of Admissions, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Kenneth Starr, Dean, Pepperdine
• Kevin Worthen, Dean, BYU
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH THE LENS OF FAITH: WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE AND WHY DO YOU WANT TO REACH THEM?
• Michael Broyde, Emory
• Vince Rougeau, Notre Dame
• David Skeel, Univ. of Pennsylvania
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. THE CHALLENGE OF INCLUSION: AVOIDING THE US AND THEM
• Sam Levine, Pepperdine
• Lucia Silecchia, Catholic Univ. of America
• Norah Wylie, Dean for Students, Boston College, and BC students
12:30 p.m. CONCLUDING LUNCH
Below is the schedule for the conference:
SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2008
5:00 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass, Trinity Chapel, BC Law School
(for those interested)
6:00 p.m. Opening Reception
7:00 p.m. Dinner
SPEAKER: JOHN GARVEY, DEAN, BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL
TABLE DISCUSSION: IDENTIFY 10 THINGS YOU DO DIFFERENTLY AT YOUR LAW SCHOOL BECAUSE YOU ARE A RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED INSTITUTION
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. TEACHING THROUGH THE LENS OF FAITH: SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGING RELIGIOUS ISSUES IN THE CLASSROOM
• Ladislas Orsy, S.J., Georgetown
• Mark Osler, Baylor
• Chaim Saiman, Villanova
• Amy Uelmen, Fordham
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Break and informal discussion
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. STUDENT VOCATIONAL DISCERNMENT: SPARKING THE SPIRITUAL, MORAL, AND PROFESSIONAL FORMATION OF YOUNG ADULTS (AND US TOO!)
• Jeff Brauch, Dean, Regent
• R. Michael Cassidy, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Boston College and BC Law School students
• Natt Gant, Regent
• Jerome Organ, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Susan Stabile, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Ronald Volkmer, Creighton
12:30 p.m. LUNCH & SPEAKER: CUTBERTO GARZA, PROVOST, BOSTON COLLEGE, GASSON HALL, CHESTNUT HILL CAMPUS
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. HIRING (AND ADMITTING) FOR MISSION: WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW TO DO IT
• Mary Bowman, Seattle Univ.
• Cari Haaland, Director of Admissions, Univ. of St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
• Kenneth Starr, Dean, Pepperdine
• Kevin Worthen, Dean, BYU
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. SCHOLARSHIP THROUGH THE LENS OF FAITH: WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE AND WHY DO YOU WANT TO REACH THEM?
• Michael Broyde, Emory
• Vince Rougeau, Notre Dame
• David Skeel, Univ. of Pennsylvania
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. THE CHALLENGE OF INCLUSION: AVOIDING THE US AND THEM
• Sam Levine, Pepperdine
• Lucia Silecchia, Catholic Univ. of America
• Norah Wylie, Dean for Students, Boston College, and BC students
12:30 p.m. CONCLUDING LUNCH
Friday, January 25, 2008
God and Man in Malibu
Pepperdine has organized a fascinating conference for February 21-22 on the question of "Is there a higher law? Does it matter?" Speakers include (but aren't limited to) Mark Tushnet, Kenneth Elzinga, Steven D. Smith, and Doug Kmiec. For more info, go to Pepperdine's website.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
An update on the upcoming RALS conference!
Boston College, host of this year's meeting of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools, now has some info up on their web site here. The conference is slated for April 6-8, which is often a beautiful early-spring week in New England.
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