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John Roberts disdain for the Bible???

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by ASLANSPAL, Sep 14, 2005.

  1. ASLANSPAL

    ASLANSPAL New Member

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    FEINSTEIN: Thank you very much.


    I would like to ask a question or two on church and state. I mentioned in my opening statement that, for centuries, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. And our country grows more diverse every day, and tensions among different beliefs have grown.


    I really believe that there is a brilliance in what the founding fathers did in drafting the First Amendment and how it protected an individual's right to practice their belief, whatever it may be, but also protect against using religion against individuals by prohibiting the government from becoming and/or imposing religion.


    In 1960, there was much debate about President John F. Kennedy's faith and what role Catholicism would play in his administration. At that time, he pledged to address the issues of conscience out of a focus on the national interests, not out of adherence to the dictates of one's religion.


    And he even said, I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. ROBERTS: Senator, I think the reason we have the two clauses in the Constitution in the First Amendment reflects the framers' experience.


    Many of them or their immediate ancestors were fleeing religious persecution. They were fleeing established churches. And it makes perfect sense to put those two provisions together: no establishment of religion and guaranteeing free exercise. That reflected the framers' experience.


    FEINSTEIN: You can't answer my question yes or no?


    ROBERTS: Well, I don't know what you mean by absolute separation of church and state.


    For example, recently in the Ten Commandments case, the court upheld a monument on the Texas Capitol grounds that had the Ten Commandments in it. They struck down the posting of the Ten Commandments in a Kentucky courthouse.


    Is it correct to call the monument on the Texas Capitol grounds with the Ten Commandments, is that an absolute separation or is that an accommodation of a particular monument along with others that five of the justices found was consistent with the First Amendment?


    So I don't know what that means when you say absolute separation. I do know this: that my faith and my religious beliefs do not play a role in judging. When it comes to judging, I look to the law books and always have. I don't look to the Bible or any other religious source.


    You would think the Bible would get a little
    more credit...what say you?
     
  2. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    The U.S. Supreme Court must base its decisions on the U.S Constitution alone.
     
  3. here now

    here now Member

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    One would think that Americans would know this.
     
  4. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    I think it is a little far fetched to state from what Judge Roberts said to the Senate Committee that he destains the Bible. He no where says that or even indicates that. He simply said that he would use the US Constitution to make his determinations. That is what is job is and that is what he has committed to do. To do any other would be breaking his word and violating the principles of the very Scripture that you falsly assume he destains. If he did that I am sure you would be the first to point out that he is not keeping biblical standards.

    Those with a political agenda give no way for their opponents to win or do right no matter what they do.

    Bro Tony
     
  5. fromtheright

    fromtheright <img src =/2844.JPG>

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    AP,

    You would think the Bible would get a little more credit...what say you?

    His oath is to the Constitution (I don't know exactly what a justice's oath says, though) and nothing else. That is how I want him doing his job.

    What say you, AP? To what extent should a judge consider the Bible in reaching his decisions and in writing his opinions?
     
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Ken already said it correctly. A SCOTUS justice must base decisions on the U.S Constitution alone.
    A person who uses the Bible to make judidial decisions and interpretations is as much a liberal as a those in the past who have looked away from the Constitution to do the same.

    Roberts appears to know the difference between what the Bible, or any outside source, says, and what the Constitution says. This makes him, imo, adequate for the job of SCOTUS justice.
     
  7. fromtheright

    fromtheright <img src =/2844.JPG>

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    Bro Tony is right. If Roberts had said he uses the Bible, ASLANSPAL would be complaining about that.
     
  8. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    One would think that Americans would know this. </font>[/QUOTE]They do. That is all except for those who get their jollies out of dumping on Bush and all he does.
     
  9. ASLANSPAL

    ASLANSPAL New Member

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    I actually saw and heard the questioning and he came off as if the Bible was bad which he is welcome to that...there are people here who love the Bible...all I am saying is this..doesn't the
    Bible and its principles deserve a bit more
    respect from Judge Roberts ..I think he could
    have parsed his answer a whole lot better..by
    all means try to find the audio transcript and give it a listen. He really did come off in his
    sound bite as not exactly holding the bible in
    high esteem. imho

    The bible of course helps that still small voice
    (H.S.) which leads you as you investigate the
    constitution and apply it.
     
  10. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

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    A-pal,

    Roberts did not say that the Bible would not influence him. He said he would not look to the Bible as a legal document or basis for a legal opinion. He later said that he would not look to the courts in Europe for precedent in making a decision, are you going to criticize him for that? If he is a Christian, as he professes to be, albeit a Catholic, he cannot keep from being influenced by the Bible.

    Can you?
     
  11. StefanM

    StefanM Well-Known Member
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    I agree whole-heartedly with Judge Robert's position.
     
  12. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I heard it, also. Your interpretation of what Judge Roberts said is way, way off the mark.
     
  13. fromtheright

    fromtheright <img src =/2844.JPG>

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    ASLANSPAL,

    You still haven't answered: do you think a Supreme Court justice should look to the Bible or any other religious source in reaching a decision or writing an opinion? You've asked the rest of us; I'd just like to know your own answer since you posed the question.
     
  14. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Off topic but I watched the hearings also. One lasting impression:

    Joe Biden questioning Judge Roberts. :D :D

    Joe Biden listening to Judge Roberts response. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :confused: :confused:
     
  15. SeekingTruth

    SeekingTruth Member

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    In the words of Ed Edwards, "Preach it Brother OR".
     
  16. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Judge Roberts smelled a trap by the evil left who are trying to destroy his nomination.
     
  17. hillclimber

    hillclimber New Member

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    The constitution must be interpreted in its original form. But, I'd sooner have a born again believer interpreting rather than a lost soul.
     
  18. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Are you inferring that Judge Roberts is a lost soul?
     
  19. ASLANSPAL

    ASLANSPAL New Member

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    If it was me and Roberts took it upon himself
    to bring the Bible into it, I would have parsed
    my answer in not so abrupt and thrown to the curb
    terms in reference to the Bible...of course he
    has to interpret the law per the constitution but
    their is also a higher source in ITS SOVEREIGNITY
    that guides a person with immeadiate help(H.S.).
    imho the Bible is part of that...he is a smart
    man ..a very smart man he could have parsed his
    answer a lot better to exalt the Bible and still
    not come off as some thumper.

    IMHO it seems as if he was going out of his way
    to be the Anti-Moore.
     
  20. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Aslanspal

    I am sure that Roberts' use of Scripture as a guide in deciding case law will exceed that which you exercize in all your posts, particularly those related to President Bush.
     
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