Alabama Supreme Court

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat

If there was a public park or mall outside the court building, and Judge Moore wanted his monument there, I'd have no problem with it. Hell, if he wanted it exactly where it is, but took the position that it relates to legal history and foundation, rather than proclaiming that he's going to make acknowledging God (as he interprets God)

Or if other similar monuments to other legal/religious backgrounds were equally allowed......

[The diplomat]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


It's disingenuous to pretend this is an atheist vs. Christian issue, since the 8 justices who stood up to Moore are all Christians.

It's also disingenuous to maintain that it is just a religious "aspect." Moore has openly stated the fundamental purpose of the monument is religious, plain and simple.

I was just responding to Odin and his fellow intolerant atheists who jump at the chance to bash Christians everytime something like a 10 Commandment case comes up.

[Jon Miller]

acutally I tihnk that the monuments in DC are mostly Masonic

Jon Miller

[The diplomat]

The reason Moore talks about "acknowledging God", is because the Alabama CONSTITUTION says that.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by The diplomat


So the message is, "You can be a Christian, just not in public where we can see you."?

He can be a Christian in public. I'm sure he goes to church on Sundays without doing so via a secret tunnel, to private sermons.

If Moore was a private citizen, and wanted to erect a 5,300 lb memorial to anything in a state building, he'd have a tough time of it.

He is using (openly and unabashedly, it was part of his campaign theme that got him elected), his office to promote religion.

Even as a legislator, he could campaign and get elected on a "bring back prayer to the schools and rename the state to the 'Holy Sovereign and Christian God Fearing State of Alabama and You Yankee Liberals Can Just Turn Your Asses Around and Go Back to Hell, New York, or Wherever You Come From'" platform, and it would be fine, because his legislative acts (or attempts to act) would be subject to majority consent of the legislature, executive action, and judicial review. Instead, he's the senior judicial officer of the state, with less review and constraint on his actions than probably any other official in the state.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by SpencerH


Or if other similar monuments to other legal/religious backgrounds were equally allowed......

That would be another way. It's not the monument I oppose (I was on Moore's side until he ratcheted up the rhetoric and decided to defy higher courts), it's the intent to promote that's behind it.

[SpencerH]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Alabama Supreme Court

Originally posted by Odin


HEY! don't compare that moron with us tree huggers!

Would tree huggers rather be compared with PETA looneys rather than religious ones then?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by The diplomat
The reason Moore talks about "acknowledging God", is because the Alabama CONSTITUTION says that.

Now you're just being intellectually dishonest. Do you honestly think Moore isn't using the display as a promotion of his religious beliefs? He's openly said so all the time!

That the Alabama Constitution makes a reference to "Almighty God" is irrelevant, but does show that perhaps it is in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

[Odin]

Originally posted by The diplomat

I was just responding to Odin and his fellow intolerant atheists who jump at the chance to bash Christians everytime something like a 10 Commandment case comes up.

Oh, we con't complain when you fundies try to corrupt My country with YOUR bigotry and intolerance in clear violation with the 1st amendment?

Oh, BTW, Being called tree hugger is a compliment!

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by The diplomat
The reason Moore talks about "acknowledging God", is because the Alabama CONSTITUTION says that.

The Alabama constitution mentions God, yes. Moore's stated reasons go beyond merely what is contained in the Alabama constitution, and both are irrelevent, as they can not supersede the US Constitution. This is a Federal law issue, and that's where Moore wanted it to go all along.

[The diplomat]

The truth is that a Court is a highly appropriate place for the 10 Commandments. Maybe if more people learned the 10 Commandments, this country might be a better place.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
acutally I tihnk that the monuments in DC are mostly Masonic

Jon Miller

Lets not get into the secret societies just yet (wink wink nod nod........... secret handshake)

s

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


Now you're just being intellectually dishonest. Do you honestly think Moore isn't using the display as a promotion of his religious beliefs? He's openly said so all the time!

That the Alabama Constitution makes a reference to "Almighty God" is irrelevant, but does show that perhaps it is in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

IIRC, SCOTUS hasn't ruled on cases involving preambles and other non-enacting text in state constitutions, but it has ruled on occasion in issues where preambles, legislative intent, legislative findings and declarations and other non-enacting text in legislation have been challenged, and ruled that those parts of legislation do not create constitutionality issues in and of themselves, as they are in the nature of commentary. The biggest recent case I recall with such a challenge was Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1991, IIRC)

[Odin]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Alabama Supreme Court

Originally posted by SpencerH
Would tree huggers rather be compared with PETA looneys rather than religious ones then?

I am not a wacko tree-hugger. I simply beleive that loggers should NOT be in certain areas, like the redwood forest and the rain forests. I don't mind logging as ling as they plant new trees in the place of the cut ones.

Enough of this thread-jack already, if you want to bash us enviromentalists make a new thread.

[The diplomat]

Originally posted by Odin
Oh, we con't complain when you fundies try to corrupt My country with YOUR bigotry and intolerance in clear violation with the 1st amendment?