<P> If beliefs such as religions are considered as ideas, the marketplace of ideas concept favors a marketplace of religions rather than forcing a state religion or forbidding incompatible beliefs . In this sense, it provides a rationale for freedom of religion . </P> <P> In recent years questions have arisen regarding the existence of markets in ideas . Several scholars have noted differences between the way ideas are produced and consumed and the way more traditional goods are produced and consumed . It has also been argued that the idea of the marketplace of ideas as applied to religion "incorrectly assumes a level playing field" among religions . In addition, the idea of a marketplace of ideas has been applied to the study of scientific research as a social institution . </P>

Speech truth and the free market for ideas