Judge Moore for President? Religious Conservatives & the Danger of Disrespecting a Popular Icon

22 Aug 03 | xzins

[xzins]

What is the process used for putting up any piece of art or information within the courthouse?

[hedgetrimmer]

"placing a religious monument doesn't violate Section 3 of the Alabama Constitution was true"

Is true. He did not establish a religion.

If you cannot display a depiction of a founding document in a court of law, does that mean the Declaration can no longer be displayed because it states our rights come from the Christian God?

[Catspaw]

I would prefer a hearing in the SCOTUS.

Well, I'm not the one who proposed Judge Moore run for President on the Constitution Party ticket--that'd be you (and threatening that if the Supremes didn't take his case, he should run & he'd get 10% of the vote--why not bribe the Supremes? Too expensive?), and after all, Howard Phillips, leader of the Constitution Party, spoke at Moore's rally last Saturday. Moore and the Constitution Party are already cozy, and you know Moore is just too big for the state of Alabama to hold. I agree with you--I think he should run.

[xzins]

Who is the God mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution of the State of Alabama?

Your best guess is just fine.

[xzins]

My Mom used to do that.

[BamaG]

Our constitution does not say "You must invoke", it says we invoke.

No commandment there.

there was more than that in the opinion. Read it, its a compelling case. Of course you have the right not to draw the same conclusions, thats the beauty of our system.

But I agree with the courts, and I will never vote for Moore again. (I voted for him last time.)

[Catspaw]

My Mom used to do that.

You mean taking you at your word and making you keep your word? Yeah, you'll find that on the Mom gene.

[CyberCowboy777]

Which 'ONE' issue would that be?

School Choice?

Abortion?

Gun Laws?

Marriage Act?

1st Amendment?

Anti Gay Agenda?

Israel?

Parents Rights?

Criminal Justice?

States Rights?

[xzins]

I asked you how you UPHOLD that provision of the Preamble after you've taken your oath to UPHOLD the constitution of Alabama?

HOW to you uphold "invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God?"

Also, WHO is this "Almighty God" referred to?

[xzins]

You clearly need to reread the article....especially the last paragraphs again.

Are you a Mom? :>)

[jla]

If Ronald Reagan were to run for office today I would confidently bet that one half of the conservatives here would jump up on their soapboxes to instruct the rest of us on why he could never win.

[xzins]

It wasn't their choice, it was HIS choice.

As Chief Justice, would it not make sense that he has some say in what goes up in the building and what goes down?

I'll bet there's an official process over time as to who gets to hang up or set up what inside that building.

Do you agree with at least that statement?

[xzins]

If you cannot display a depiction of a founding document in a court of law, does that mean the Declaration can no longer be displayed because it states our rights come from the Christian God?

Eventually.

I expect they'll cut the "endowed by our Creator" part out in a few years.

BTW, does anyone doubt hedge's conclusion that the Founders meant the "Christian God?" If so, then why?

[BamaG]

I asked you how you UPHOLD that provision of the Preamble after you've taken your oath to UPHOLD the constitution of Alabama? HOW to you uphold "invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God?"

This is from the Preamble of our constitution. There is no command to invoke God, this is merely the background of the constitution.

We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama:

FindLaw.com defines Preamble as such:

"Although the preamble is not a source of power for any department of the Federal Government, 1 the Supreme Court has often referred to it as evidence of the origin, scope, and purpose of the Constitution. 2 ''Its true office,'' wrote Joseph Story in his COMMENTARIES, ''is to expound the nature and extent and application of the powers actually conferred by the Constitution, and not substantively to create them":

There is no need to uphold, nor no commandment to do so. This is just like a historical record, saying in effect, we established this document, and we asked for the almighty's blessing.

[Catspaw]

Are you a Mom? :>)

Oh, yeah--she's all grown up now, but she'll always be my baby (standard Mom clause from the Mom Handbook). I know all about timeouts, clean your room, you're grounded, if your friends told you to jump off a cliff..., wash your hands before you eat, don't fake burp in public, say your prayers, make your bed, because I said so, how about a hug & want some ice cream <---all from the Mom Handbook.

[safisoft]

Better written as, "Judge Moore for President? Religious Conservatives & the Danger of Being One Issue Losers"

Yeah, one issue: the Constitution. Sign me up as a "loser" - along with all the other "losers" who stood for the cause of liberty.

With a firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence we pledge our lives, fortunes and sacred honor.

[xzins]

So you're telling me that the "origin, scope, and purpose" of the Constitution includes "invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God?"

So what we do in this document is written for the partial purpose of being acceptable to God?

Who is this Almighty God they were talking about in 1901?

Notice that it isn't just ANY hang-out-on-the-corner God that they were talking about. They specifically mention the ALMIGHTY God.

Who is that?

[Catspaw]

BTW, does anyone doubt hedge's conclusion that the Founders meant the "Christian God?" If so, then why?

Christian God?  Hmmm, is Judaism a subset of Christianity or is it a separate religion?  Last I looked, Judaism was a separate religion from Christianity.  This letter from George Washington to the Touro Synagogue was written in 1790.  Formatting's not too great, but you can read the letter at the link.

 

The letter from George Washington
in response to Moses Seixas, Page 1

View the Moses Seixas Letter to George Washington

To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island. Gentleman. While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and happy people. The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of once class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the

The letter from George Washington
in response to Moses Seixas, Page 2

Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and figtree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy. G. Washington