Religious Freedom

Guest: Daniel Mark, PhD, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Villanova University in Pennsylvania  The debate over the role of religion in American life and politics is alive on many fronts. Later this year, the Supreme Court will rule on whether a group of Catholic nuns should be forced to provide their employees with health coverage for contraception. The backlash Indiana faced last year for passing a law that allows people and companies to use their religious beliefs as a legal defense is flaring up again this week. You’ll remember, critics claimed Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act would give businesses cover to discrimination against gays and lesbians.  Boycotts ensued and now the tourism group Visit Indy says a dozen groups opted not to host conventions in Indianapolis last year because of the law. All told, Indiana may have lost as much as $60 million in hotel profits, tax revenue and economic benefits.