Toleration,neutrality, and freedom: a reply

ABSTRACT

In defending toleration against its many critics, Respecting Toleration has both conceptual and normative aims. Conceptually, I defend and explain the coherence of political toleration. This involves, in part, highlighting a distinction between two forms of toleration; one of which always involves objection, and one which does not. Normatively, I defend a particular understanding of toleration as the best way of accommodating contemporary diversity. In brief, the state should be guided by an active ideal of neutrality, and citizens must at minimum engage in forbearance tolerance with each others’ differences. In this paper, I respond to four main lines of criticism. The first is that my understanding of toleration – in which objection is not always necessary – is too broad, and that my non-moralised understanding of forbearance tolerance requires additional context. Second, my discussion of neutrality runs together the distinction between an active/passive state with a large/small state; wrongly fails to distinguish between mere preferences and deeply held beliefs; and is really a concern about equality. Third, my freedom-based justification for toleration is too limited; and may, in fact, enable recognition rather than resist it. Fourth, my rejection of inter-citizen respect for difference is too quick.     

The routine use of C-reactive protein in forensic investigations

In clinical medicine, C-reactive protein (CRP) is extensively used as a general marker for immune system activation, and post-mortem applicability has been established [M.Q. Fujita, B.L. Zhu, K. Ishida, L. Quan, S. Oritani, H. Maeda, Serum C-reactive protein levels in postmortem blood-an analysis with special reference to the cause of death and survival time, Forensic Sci. Int. 130 (2002) 160-166; L. Uhlin-Hansen, C-reactive protein (CRP), a comparison of pre- and post-mortem blood levels, Forensic Sci. Int. 124 (2001) 32-35]. We have analysed the routine use of CRP in non-selected cases. Scarcity of blood available for analysis is a common problem in forensic investigation, and in response to this we have developed a method using liver as a source. In 50 consecutive autopsy cases, we have evaluated method, validated results and discussed their interpretation. In three cases the analysis was not possible. For each of the remaining cases (n=47) we have analysed whole blood, serum and/or liver samples. 57% (n=25) had serum CRP > 10 mg/L. Serum levels were higher than in whole blood or liver. CRP levels in serum and whole blood samples were stable in more than one month after death, making storage for later analysis possible. Liver levels peaked at one week, but after one month putrefaction was obvious. CRP levels were independent of the post-mortem interval. The use of liver as a source has not yet been described in literature. Our results in liver samples correlate well with plasma results, and liver is a good post-mortem alternative when blood is not available. We conclude that CRP measurements are easy, viable and inexpensive in a forensic setting, and that the number of cases with CRP elevation is high in a non-selected forensic material. In cases of doubt, marked elevation of CRP is an indicator of natural mode of death, and in cases of trauma, it indicates vital reaction. It can be used as a pre-autopsy screening, leading to a more extensive search for diseases not easily diagnosed, such as sepsis or ketoacidosis.     

Reconocimiento del matrimonio religioso contraído en el extranjero (perspectiva mexicana)

The author presents the legal and doctrinal decisions about religious marriage recognition abroad. He finds that the “form” (the qualification) has not been the instrument to recognize the marriage. It is questionable whether that marriage in Mexico is a problem of form.     

西部农村法治建设的障碍性因素分析

西部大开发不只是经济的开发,而是社会的全面互动和协调发展。西部开发之法治选择在于,法治是决定和保证经济长期稳定协调发展和社会稳定的基础性构建;实现西部跨越式发展必须营造良好的法治环境,以法治为先导,依法开发,使西部的经济、政治、文化和社会生活等各方面都受到法律的规范性调控与规范。西部大开发,重点之一是开发西部农村,然西部农村的法治建设因农村立法迟缓,农村经济滞后,宗族势力、非法宗教的复兴,基层官员腐败以及根深蒂固的人治传统而呈现出艰巨性。     

全面贯彻党的宗教工作方针正确处理当前我国的宗教问题

如何处理宗教问题关系到国家的长治久安。在不久前召开的全国统战工作会议上,胡锦涛同志指出：“做好新形势下的宗教工作,关键是要全面理解和认真贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针。”正确处理宗教问题,必须正确认识宗教存在的必然性和长期性,全面贯彻党的宗教信仰自由政策,依法管理宗教事务,依法保护宗教团体和宗教信徒的合法权益,坚持独立自主自办教会的原则,积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应。     

论马克思主义宗教观的创立与发展

本文从历史的角度,着重探讨了马克思主义宗教观创立以来,列宁和中国三代领导集体,根据不同环境条件和不同革命目标及任务,对马克思主义宗教理论的创造性地推进和发展。     

试论企业法人主体资格证明标志

法人的民事权利能力与民事行为能力同时产生理论,决定了现行法律法规将营业执照的颁发视为企业法人成立的标志,但现行司法实践的发展,同时又将企业法人营业执照被吊销后至其注销登记前视为企业法人主体未消灭,这一矛盾最终导致理论与实践的重大冲突。这就要求重构企业法人主体产生的标志:在观念上将企业法人的登记与营业执照的颁发分别作为企业法人主体权利能力与行为能力获得的证明。     

宗教团体：构建和谐社会的一支重要力量

宗教团体作为联系宗教事务管理者与信教群众的桥梁和纽带,在和谐社会的构建中发挥着巨大作用。当前,我国的宗教团体在工作中存在着基本职能定位丧失、新老交替问题突出、规章制度执行滞延等问题。宗教团体要与社会主义社会相适应,必须把爱国、守法、团结、进步四个方面作为自己的工作要求,努力加强自身建设。     

澳大利亚的政府服务绩效评估及对我国的启示

本文介绍了澳大利亚政府服务绩效评估指标体系的设计思路、评估指标体系、评估的组织机构和评估的实施过程,总结了澳大利亚政府服务绩效评估的特点,并提出对我国政府绩效评估的借鉴意义。