Micah Watson writing at Public Discourse:
First, religion is a public good and a matter for public deliberation. The freedom to practice one’s religion, change religions, or reject religion altogether, is a freedom intrinsic to both the common good and the American political tradition. Indeed, George concluded Making Men Moral with a perfectionist argument that situates the good of religion not in individual autonomy but as a basic good; the basic good of considering the ultimate transcendent reality in the universe and ordering one’s life accordingly. Moreover, one need not be a believer in the traditional sense to recognize the value of religion both to individuals and to the larger society.
