Articles Suggest Religious Liberty Trends For Next Decade

Associated Baptist Press yesterday carried three interesting pieces projecting future trends in religious liberty and church-state matters.  In answers to questions about religious freedom trends for 2011 and for the next decade, George Washington University law professor Ira "Chip" Lupu focused on issues that included more-assertive atheism, gay rights and anti-Muslim cultural attitudes in Europe. A similar interview with church-state expert Melissa Rogers included items such as the growing number of individuals who claim no religious affiliation, the debate over conscience clauses issues in health care matters, and possible debates about Mormonism if Mitt Romney runs for president in 2012. Both experts had much more to say, so that a full read of their responses is worthwhile. Finally ABP carried an article by ABP managing editor Robert Marus setting out further analysis of some of the trends suggested by Lupu and Rogers.