Religion & Law

Just a quick response to Michael P.'s latest post with an understanding that my points need further elaboration.  If others have the facts at their finger tips, please email.  Four points:

1.  Is Michael P. correct on the facts?  Are there, in fact, studies that indicate that the male/female parenting unit is ideal over other forms of parenting arrangements?  Have some courts ignored or dismissed as irrelevant these reports?

2.  To examine whether the traditionalist is "prejudice exemplified," don't we need to know the biases and prejudices of those who funded and conducted the studies to which Michael P. points?

3.  To examine whether the traditionalist is "prejudice exemplified," don't we need to know what the social scientiest studying the parent/child relationhsip considered "quality parenting" and "good for the child."  The questions asked likely effect the conclusions drawn.

4.  To examine whether Michael P. is correct that the traditionalist is "prejudice exemplified," don't we need to know the biases and prejudices of the court writing the opinion?

As Michael P. says, "facts are pesky things," but rigorous engagement with the facts requires a lot more thans we have so far, IMHO.  I vote for not prematurely shutting down the conversation!