Posted on 01/18/2012 6:28:57 PM PST by KittenClaws
I received a jury summons from the municipal court. (traffic tickets, dogs barking, all issues falling under local jurisdiction).
Among the usual relevant questions on the form that MUST BE FILLED OUT, such as age, term and county of residence, former jury service, convictions, etc., was one that puzzled me. Actually, it puzzled me This Time, as I recall filling out the same form one or two other times and answering without pause.
I was asked about my "religious preference".
As a Christian, I am certainly not ashamed or fearful of proclaiming my love for Christ and I try to live as best as I can under His love and authority. Indeed, I share Christ with others as I am led to do.
I do not subscribe to "Separation of Church and State" as many liberals do to undermine Christianity; to ban crosses, chreches, christmas and Christ from public places.
What I did not understand "this time" was the relevance of the question to the court. Is the court using religious stereotypes to pick juries?
I certainly did not want anyone to think I wasn't a Christian, but the question reeked of ulterior motive, As in "get a Baptist on the jury and your going down for the 3rd DUI". I actually thought for awhile that I could be jailed for contempt (or something) if I did not tell them my denomination.
After much thought I wrote: "I prefer 'Freedom Of' as defined by the U.S. constitution." I was ready to defend my answer.
I didn't get picked, but I'm sure that that one question was not the cause. The "computer" picks jurors at random, after all.
So why this post? I guess I'd like to know what other Christians, or non-Christians, think of this questions in regards to a court of law.
Does religious preference have a place in the court?
As for me, I would prefer Christian Jurors!
Answer with “Article VI”
I thought about the “religious test” angle, but was not sure it was applicable.
It just bugs me that the question was even asked.
If you were on trial, would you want Muslims and atheists on the jury?
Most American Patriots would—I am most convinced though that our legal system is very much biased against Christians.Preferring to establish a wholly secular society —
the suggestion of pleading “ I prefer not to answer “ seems a
worthy suggestion —I believe it was the Apostle Paul who suggested we need be “wise as serpents...” But not compromising in our faith.
Our municipal court judge is deacon at our Episcopal church. Doubt anyone complains...
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