It seems like issues of a Presidential candidate’s religion have always been an issue in elections going back to the 1960s. In this video clip, John F. Kennedy discusses how he believes church and state should relate to each other. It also features a brief clip of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech….
Category: Legal Issues
Religious Pluralism & America’s Christian Nation Debate: Revisiting the Intentions of America’s Constitutional Founders
By Gregory W. Hamilton The constitutional system of the United States of America remains the envy of the outside world despite the growing unrest of our European allies towards our country’s Administration, and the continual provocation against it by terrorists and a few hostile Arab-Muslim nations. Yet the greatest threat to our constitutional system comes…
Government, Religion, and a Mythical Past
By Karen Scott, Walt Pontynen, and Leigh Johnson In this article, originally published in Spectrum in 2002, the authors discuss the intent of the founders of the United States and how historical revisionism obscures our national heritage. (Re-posted with Permission.) AMERICAN PHILOSOPHER and poet George Santayana (1863-1952) wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are…
Learning from the Past
THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE PEST CONTROL FOR YOUR HOME OR RENTAL PROPERTY So much goes into renting or owning a home in today’s society. Utilities, structural maintenance, appliance upkeep, landscaping.. the list goes on! An important aspect of maintaining and caring for a home is often dismissed or forgotten. And that is preventative pest control. Pest control…
Significant Differences Emerging Between McCain and Obama in Prospective Judicial Nominees (NY Times)
It is looking more and more likely that either Barack Obama or John McCain will be the next President of the United States. They will leave a lasting legacy in the form of their judicial appointments. The New York Times today posted a good analysis of how they may decide who interprets the law. Thanks…
Does Constitution apply to enemy combatant on U.S. soil? (AP)
In the War Against Terror, it may be difficult to determine who the enemy is. Does the Constitution apply to a U.S. resident held on U.S. soil? WASHINGTON (AP) — If his cell were at Guantanamo Bay, the prisoner would be just one of hundreds of suspected terrorists detained offshore, where the U.S. says the…
Barack Obama’s judicial nominees (Baltimore Sun)
James Oliphant of the Baltimore Sun blogged about Barack Obama’s judicial nominees. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/printer-obama_on_judges.html Here is some of what Obama has said on the topic: What you’re looking for is somebody who is going to apply the law where it’s clear. Now there’s gonna be those five percent of cases or one percent of cases where…
Polygamy: Where religious liberty ends (Salt Lake Tribune)
Trying to walk the line between religious freedom and societal concerns has never been easy. Some scholars say the line is drawn at polygamy. This article explores that option, but is the line even better drawn at child abuse? What about “legitimate” serial marriages and divorces? This issue may gain some traction in the next…
Testimony of Michael Peabody in favor of the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (SB 786)
April 9, 2009 Senate Judiciary Committee Oregon State Legislature Salem, Oregon RE: SB 786 – Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (SUPPORT) Mr. Chairman and Members, Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act. As an attorney I have had the privilege…
The New Blue Laws – Slate.com
Slate contributor and labor union attorney, Paul L. Edenfield, asks the questions as to workers have the right to have Sundays off. This may be the forerunner of additional trends in this area: The New Blue Laws They’re about giving workers a break, not forcing church attendance. By Paul L. Edenfield Updated Monday, April 7,…