'Even Monks' Enjoy Economic Liberty

My colleague at the Acton Institute, Kevin Schmiesing, points to the case of the monks of St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, Louisiana, who are suing the State of Louisiana in federal court for recognition of the right to continue to make caskets without adhering to the strictures of state regulation that require such to be done only by licensed funeral directors.

Monasteries are often accounted as the outposts of civilization in the medieval period. And in this case, St. Joseph Abbey continues this fine tradition by standing as an outpost for economic freedom in our post-modern era.

As Schmiesing relates, "Thus, Abbot Justin Brown, in words that might warm the heart of Frederic Bastiat, Adam Smith, or Milton Friedman:

'We have not taken this step lightly, but it is one of our Constitution’s many great virtues that it protects economic liberty so that everyone — even monks — can earn an honest living through the labor of their own hands.'"

Ora et labora, indeed.

More information is available via FT's Gateway Pundit, including links to the Institute for Justice's involvement in the monks' case.

Comments

[sdf]

Please stop conflating true economic liberty with the anti-Christian philosophies of Friedman and Rand.

[Jordan]

Please stop conflating a reference to with conflation.

[sdf]

Fine. Please stop referencing the anti-Christian propaganda of the Acton Institute.

[Jordan]

Please stop being uncharitable.

[sdf]

It is not uncharitable to object to the propaganda of an organization whose raison d'etre is the covert Liberalization of Christianity being uncritically repeated in a journal such as this.

[Robert Espe]

Wow...

[Christopher Hathaway]

sdf, What specifically Christian doctrines or moral teachings does the Acton Institute oppose?

[Marc]

Additionally, I would inquire as to what specific anti-Christian activities the monks are engaging in that would earn them such a kind word from the evil Acton Institute's devilish minions?