2005 Archives
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Commentary: O’Connor Got it Right on Religion_62705
Posted: 7/04/05
COMMENTARY:
By Melissa Rogers
O'Connor Got it Right on Religion
As most everyone knows by now, when Christians face a challenging spiritual or moral issue, we often ask ourselves, WWJD?–“What would Jesus do?” Playing on this theme, the joke among lawyers, especially among church-state lawyers, when we try to guess the outcome of a particular case or issue at the United States Supreme Court, has been to say, “WWSOCD?–What would Sandra Day O’Connor do?”
What Justice O’Connor has done today is announce her retirement from the nation’s highest bench. As the joke indicates, it is difficult to overstate her critical role in the determination of issues pertaining to the relationship between religion and government. Quite simply, her vote has often been the one that tipped the judicial balance toward ensuring that the government was restrained from promoting religion.
“Her vote has often been the one that tipped the judicial balance toward ensuring that the government was restrained from promoting religion.” At the same time, Justice O’Connor’s jurisprudence has supported a vital role for religion in public life and strong protection for the exercise of religion. Thus, O’Connor’s voice has reflected a sensibly centrist position on church-state issues–firm restrictions on government’s role in the religious realm and strong support for the right of religious individuals and religious groups to express and otherwise practice their faith in public and private places.
07/04/2005 - By John Rutledge
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Bush praises Baptists as ‘soldiers in the army of compassion’_62705
Posted: 6/24/05
President Bush addresses Southern Baptist Convention messengers by satellite video. (Photo by John Swain/BP) Bush praises Baptists as 'soldiers
in the army of compassion'By Tony Cartledge
North Carolina Biblical Recorder
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP)–Touting his desire to build a “more compassionate society,” President Bush thanked Southern Baptists June 21 for being “soldiers in the army of compassion” who make a difference in America and the world.
06/26/2005 - By John Rutledge
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Southern Baptists approve tribute to Billy Graham_62705
Posted: 6/24/05
Southern Baptists approve
tribute to Billy GrahamBy Marv Knox
Editor
NASHVILLE, Tenn.–Even though he could not attend, Southern Baptists' favorite son stood in the spotlight at their annual meeting June 22 in Nashville.
During a special recognition service for the ministry of Billy Graham, Bobby Welch, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, unveiled a bronze model of Graham in a pose familiar to millions worldwide from his many crusades. 06/26/2005 - By John Rutledge
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