"...the state should be neutral about competing moral claims as much as possible." Here is the key position in your proposition. There is a basis in the U.S. Constitution for the separation of church and state. I know of nothing in the constitution that provides a basis in law for a separation of moral claims and the state. I seriously doubt that all the groups with competing moral claims can be persuaded to voluntarily adopt such a policy. Even if one did by some miracle get a "good faith" agreement, there would be no way to enforce it should conflict arise, which it surely would. Thus, the only way forward, as I see it, for your proposition is to find a constitutional basis for what you propose and get it established in constitutional law through a SCOTUS decision or generate a movement to persuade congress that it should put forward a constitutional amendment and send it to the states for ratification.
Tara,
"...the state should be neutral about competing moral claims as much as possible." Here is the key position in your proposition. There is a basis in the U.S. Constitution for the separation of church and state. I know of nothing in the constitution that provides a basis in law for a separation of moral claims and the state. I seriously doubt that all the groups with competing moral claims can be persuaded to voluntarily adopt such a policy. Even if one did by some miracle get a "good faith" agreement, there would be no way to enforce it should conflict arise, which it surely would. Thus, the only way forward, as I see it, for your proposition is to find a constitutional basis for what you propose and get it established in constitutional law through a SCOTUS decision or generate a movement to persuade congress that it should put forward a constitutional amendment and send it to the states for ratification.
David