Apparently there is no freedom of speech, and no freedom to practice religion, when you are a county commissioner in Carroll County, Maryland. At least that's the set of rules federal judge William Quarles Jr. sought to impose in a ruling earlier this week. Judge Quarles, in response to a complaint from the American Humanist Association (of course) ordered commissioners not to offer any sectarian prayers that would mention Jesus or any other "specific deity".
Commissioner Robin Frazier had other ideas:
The commission as a whole has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and seems confident Judge Quarles's decision will be overturned (as it should be).
But just consider how far we've taken the twisting of the First Amendment. The establishment clause, which gives us separation of church and state, says that Congress shall pass no law respecting the establishment of religion. Fine and good. I for one am glad that clause is in there. I don't want the government choosing an official state religion. My church is that of Jesus Christ and we neither want nor need the blessing of the government.
The government of Carroll County, Maryland a) is not Congress, nor is it a federal entity of any sort; b) is not passing any sort of law by having one of its members pray to Jesus at the start of a meeting; c) does not have the authority to tell any individual - whether a private citizen or a public official - when and under what circumstances he or she can pray, or to whom.
And Judge Quarles doesn't have that authority either.
The American Humanist Association wants to prevent anyone in public office from acknowledging their personal commitment to Jesus, at least while acting in their official capacity. But there is nothing in the Constitution that requires that this happen. Commissioner Frazier has no power to take away the rights of "humanists" by praying in front of them. If they don't like it, too bad. I don't like what they say either, but it doesn't do me any harm.
I'm actually glad this has happened because I look forward to the Supreme Court clarifying what the establishment clause and free exercise really mean. I don't think it will be to the liking of the American Humanist Association, but they're the ones who started the legal fight in the first place. Maybe they should have thought that strategy through a little more carefully.
By the way, over at my site I've got more to say today about Jesus and the brooding, uncool wimp western culture has turned Him into, so pop on by and let me know what you think of that as well!
