Christian commentator criticizes judges

AP | 8/29/03 | KYLE WINGFIELD

[kattracks]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Christian radio host James Dobson said federal judges are "determined to shove their beliefs down our throats" by removing a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building's rotunda.

The internationally syndicated talk show host joined more than a thousand supporters of suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore on Thursday to pray and rally for the return of the justice's monument.

Dobson said the fight is about "an unelected, non-accountable, arrogant, imperialistic judiciary determined to shove their beliefs down our throats."

A group that sued to have the monument removed said Dobson and other religious leaders were trying to fan the United States into a full-scale culture war.

"It won't work," said Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Very few people have any interest in starting political fights with their neighbors over religion."

Moore skipped the rally, saying he wants the fight to be about the public acknowledgment of God — not about him.

A federal judge ruled last year that the monument, when it sat in the building's rotunda, violated the Constitution's ban against government promotion of religion. Moore refused to comply with the order to move it, was overruled by his eight colleagues on the court, and was suspended. The monument was wheeled out of sight Wednesday.

Moore said he hopes for a final ruling on the issue from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor has defended the justices' decision to avoid the state being fined. Moore has been critical of them all, as well as of Gov. Bob Riley.

Asked in the interview Thursday why he expected others to disobey the law, which led to his own suspension under judicial ethics charges, Moore said: "I was saddened and dismayed that state officials were so anxious to follow the dictates of an unlawful order and move the monument into a hallway 50 feet away to hide its contents, to hide the truth."

Scores of supporters keeping a vigil outside the building were dismayed when the granite monument was rolled to a back room. But their leaders said their prayer sessions and rallies would continue into next week.

On Thursday, rally speakers under a hot sun promised political retaliation.

"I don't think it's nearly as hot for us here as it's going to get in the political climate of Alabama for all of those who have cooperated with this federal judge," said former presidential candidate Alan Keyes.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of Montgomery, who ruled last year that the monument violated the Constitution, has scheduled a Friday conference call to determine if the state is now in compliance with his order.

[gunnedah]

The problem coming with a lot of these rulings is that they are opinions that are not founded upon the actual constitution. So like opinions the one given the last say has the control.
I know there are some who think I am crazy because I keep dwelling on this but the way the Supreme Court interpets the law is the way America will go and I truly believe we are headed ultimately toward a dictatorship because the best lawyers are liberals,the most agressive are liberals and all lawyers are one big fraternity. Anytime you have total control by one group it is dangerous.Hitler is not so far in the past we cant remember him but liberals have gotten themselves in positions of power and authority to manipulate the law,media and the educational system.
Conservatives seem to be individuals who have been pushed into a corner and terms like Christian Right,Right Winger or Racist have scared them to death. It is time to stop retreating and take a stand.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

"It won't work," said Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Very few people have any interest in starting political fights with their neighbors over religion."

This man is dead wrong. Churches are even being torn apart by those who are now ready to fight to the end on the sovereignty of God's law. This may be the last stand in America for those who still hold the faith and a lot of people know it and are ready.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

...I truly believe we are headed ultimately toward a dictatorship ....

Or another revolution.

[joesbucks]

The bigger question is the judge is claiming a violation of not only the constitution, but Christian faith. Concerning the latter, can anyone find any new testament scripture that supports the actions Judge Moore has taken to date?

[Byron_the_Aussie]

From family.org:

These judges and attorneys will determine if Chief Justice Moore should be further disciplined over his refusal to obey a federal court order to remove the Ten Commandments monument. Please call them and let them know that you support the legal stand taken by Justice Moore.

Chief Judge William C. Thompson
Court of Civil Appeals
300 Dexter Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36130-1560
(334) 242-4095

David A. Rains
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
County Courthouse, Third Floor
Fort Payne, AL 35967
(256) 927-5452

John V. Denson
Attorney at Law
P.O. Box 2345
Opelika, AL 36803
(334) 745-3504 x208

Robert G. Kendall
Circuit Judge
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit
Courtroom 8600
205 Government St.
Mobile, AL 36644-2618
(251) 574-8457

James L. North
Attorney at Law
300 21st St. North
Suite 700
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 251-0252

John J. Dobson
District Judge
220 2nd Ave. East, Room 209
Oneonta, AL 35121
(205) 625-4160

William D. Melton
Attorney at Law
P.O. Drawer 800
Evergreen, AL 36401-0800
(251) 578-2423

• Contact the associate judges on the Alabama Supreme Court.

Hold them accountable for their actions against Chief Justice Moore and the people of Alabama who elected him on his promise to restore the Ten Commandments to the courthouse.

Gorman Houston Jr. — (334) 242-4587

Harold See — (334) 242-1001

Champ Lyons — (334) 242-4351

Jean Brown — (334) 353-4244

Bernard Harwood — (334) 242-4593

Tom Woodall — 334) 242-4579

Lyn Stuart —(334) 242-4584

Douglass Johnstone —(334) 242-4597

• Contact the White House.

The comment line is (202) 456-1111, and the switchboard is (202) 456-1414.

• Continue to pray for and encourage Chief Justice Moore.

Chief Justice Moore has requested that supporters simply pray that God's will be done in this case. You also can leave a message of support at the Supreme Court of Alabama by calling (334) 242-4609

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The problem coming with a lot of these rulings is that they are opinions that are not founded upon the actual Constitution.

Yes, and it must be said that constitutional law is a muddle. The Second Amendment, if applied to the states, eliminates any government authority over the carrying of weapons.

The First Amendment was crafted quite specifically for the federal government and exclusive of the states, yet some of our most cherished freedoms are enunciated nowhere else in the Constitution; there were established churches in several of the states long after the ratification of the First Amendment. Then again, the FCC is a creature of Congress which exists soley to censor wireless communication; broadcasting would be problematic without it, but with it "some animals are more equal than others" in direct conflict with the intent of the First Amendment.

[Guillermo]

77% of America supports Moore.

Where are the gutless wonders aka "Republican Majority?"

[tdadams]

Roy Moore and James Dobson seem to have this quirky ability to interpret the first amendment to mean "the state must promote my religion", when in fact it says just the opposite.

[Rebelbase]

I was embarrased as a Christian to see the religous activists in Alabama nearly blowing their aortas over a chunk of rock being moved.

The day I see the same fervor about repentance and grace is the day i'll agree that we're closer to the prize than we are now.

[CalvaryJohn]

I'm finding myself agreeing with Jay Sekulow and the Limbaugh brothers. Moore has overstepped his bounds and overplayed his hand. We lost this one in the courts and we will appeal it and pursue remedies through the courts. It's a lousy, frustrating system, but it's the best one going. I heard one of the demonstrators saying "Don't move our God!". That, to me is a big part of this problem. Also, I think Judge Moore is ignoring Romans 12:18- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men. He has caused this, I think, intentionally, and I believe he is secretly pleased with the results. This is a man looking to further his career. While I see him as a man of great faith, I also see him as mistaken in his practice of it.

[antisocial]

How do you interpret the 1st amendment? It actually says- "Congress shall make no law--" I don't recall Congress making any law respecting the establishment of religion. Any interpretation other than what the constitution says is illegal as far as I'm concerned. Judge Moore is bound by his oath of office to protect and defend the constitution, not illegal Federal rulings by activist liberal judges.

[jwalsh07]

While I see him as a man of great faith, I also see him as mistaken in his practice of it

No offense but I see you and the Limbaugh brothers as frogs in the slow boil pot. All good folk but frogs none the less.

The courts have been slowly removing God from the public square since since the anti Catholic bigot Blaine persuaded many of the states to do just that.

Justice Black took Jeffersons letter to the Danbury Baptists used it as "legal precedent" and constructed a "Wall of Separation" that is anti Constitutional and historically inaccurate.

The result has been federal courts issuing orders banning the recitation of the POA with the words "under God" included, the banning of VOLUNTARY prayer in public institutions, the removal of Jesus Christ from the Christmas season and the banning of religious displays in the literal public square.

You may see these as good things, I see them as reminiscient of the Soviet Union.

The robed oligarchs have had their way for too long and I for one am glad to see somebody making a great, big issue out of it.

Moore is paying a price for disobeying an unlawful order and that's life.

Dobson and Alan Keyes have joined him in his battle against judges who make law out of whole cloth and this Catholic is with them 100%.

[DonQ]

Christian radio host James Dobson said federal judges are "determined to shove their beliefs down our throats" by removing a Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building's rotunda.

Let's see, plunking a two ton altar in the middle of the courthouse lobby is not shoving a judge's belief down people's throats, but moving it out by decision of the majority of the judges, following court decisions going all the way up to the US Supreme Court, that is shoving it.

[tdadams]

I don't think when the 1st Amendment says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, that it implies it's perfectly acceptable for judges to do so. That interpretation is a disingenuous and self-serving circumvention of the spirit of our constitution.

[jwalsh07]

Judges are not permitted to make laws in our sytem td. That is something that both you and the federales have a problem getting your arms around.

But feel free, post the Alabama law that violates the inalienable right of Alabama citizens to worship as they see fit.

[jwalsh07]

Is it the weight of the display or the display of the Ten Commandments that violates your Constitutional right not to be offended?

[Area51]

Roy Moore and James Dobson seem to have this quirky ability to interpret the first amendment to mean "the state must promote my religion", when in fact it says just the opposite.


9 posted on 08/29/2003 4:55 AM PDT by tdadams
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And exactly what religion is the rock promoting?

When you tell your kid not to kill or steal or screw the neighbors wife are you preaching religion?

And if those words are not to be used by the "State" in any public fashion then explain to me why "god" is written in the documents that delcared or Independence from Britian and stated our Inalienable rights?

Better yet, Please explain to me why these same Judges when hearing cases in the lower courts that they invariably sat over, had witnesses PLACE THEIR HAND ON A BIBLE AND SWEAR TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD TO TELL THE TRUTH?

Fact is these Judges are a bunch of worthless bastards that want to make a mark for themselves by issueing such assinine rulings.

[PleaseNoMore]

My grandfather is an 80 year old pastor ( and he is still going strong, God bless him! ). Last night he and I were talking and he said to me, very clearly, that this is going to get ugly and to be ready. We have not seen persecution for His name's sake, yet, but, it is certainly coming. There are some who think that it won't happen in America seeing as we are the "land of the free" and all. But, I can assure you that it will. I am so certain of it that I will risk being called paranoid, tin foiler, crazy, fanatical or whatever anyone chooses to call me. We need to be ready to fight for our rights, most certainly. I also believe that each of us who personally see this as a fight be "prayed up" and ready for whatever comes our way.

[Rebelbase]

People forget there is a history in the Bible of God removing wicked leaders. I don't recall one instance where the people protested for monuments and God listened to them. But there are reports that when the people of nations turn their hearts to God, he listens.