God, Religion and Liberty of Conscience

The first two chapters of David Copeland's book, The Idea of a Free Press, have a lot to say about religion and its role in the development of free expression. Copeland writes especially about the religion and an idea he calls "liberty of conscience" in Enlightenment England. But what was the connection between religion and liberty of conscience? How did a belief in God translate into notions of free expression?

Your assignment for this blog post is answer those questions. Do this by writing about 100 words (about 7 or 8 sentences) in which you identify in the reading at least one significant "real world" link between religion and the development of liberty. Beyond identifying that link, explain the significance of that connection on the development of free expression. That is, explain why this link was important.

Read these chapters carefully so that you will have a thoughtful and original short essay. We will be discussing these posts on Monday. See you then. 

Free Expression on the Web: Questions, Answers and Discussion

Watergate reporter Bob Woodward signing my copy of "All the President's Men" on campus last semester.

This is the first posting for the 2012 edition of the TU communication class History and Philosophy of Free Expression. As your instructor, I will be posting prompts and discussion questions about class readings on this site.

Following the schedule in the syllabus, you are to write succinct answers to these questions. The idea behind these blog posts is to push you to read and think carefully about the topics of the readings.

Your comments are due no later midnight on the day before the class. Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.

See you soon in Oliphant 141!