Acceptance Quote by David Novak
“All modern secularity requires is that our public norms and the arguments for them not presuppose common acceptance of Jewish or Christian revelation, even if these public norms are consistent with a particular community's revelation and the authoritative teachings it derives from that revelation.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Jewish State: The Struggle for Israel's Soul by David Novak, 2005
Secular societies must base public norms on arguments that do not assume any specific religious revelation, even if those norms align with a particular faith's teachings.
In simple terms: Public norms should be justified without assuming any one religion's truth.
Key Takeaway
Build inclusive policies that appeal to shared reason.
Themes
secularism
public policy
religion
inclusion
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- education curricula
- public debates
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
pluralism
normative justification
religious neutrality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies respect religious traditions while maintaining secular neutrality?
- What criteria ensure public norms are truly inclusive?
A Different Perspective
Balancing respect for religious traditions with secular neutrality can be politically contentious.
