Abstract

This essay proposes that a healthy civil society and a fair and effective free market economy constitute the bases of a well-functioning democratic polity. For civil society and free market economy to function well requires citizens with good moral character. Religious beliefs and practices provide the best foundation for the development and maintenance of the moral norms, virtues, motivations, tendencies, and habits essential for open, pluralistic, liberal societies. Yet liberalism has effectively undermined religious claims to the public domains of freedom and the goals of society. The separation of church and state was extended to an even deeper separation of secular, public thought, from religious thought and influence. This has contributed to the weakening of families, churches, schools, and communities, and their interest in and ability to train virtuous and responsible citizens, which a free society needs to sustain itself.