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Council for Secular Humanism Opposes Roberts
The Council for Secular Humanism represents the interests of nonreligious people worldwide. Our objective is for governments to treat believer and nonbeliever equally. Unfortunately, there are indications that Judge John G. Roberts does not believe in government neutrality in matters of religion. Twenty years ago, as a lawyer in the Reagan White House, he urged the passage of legislation that would strip the federal courts of jurisdiction over school-prayer cases. To divest the federal courts of jurisdiction over enforcement of the First Amendment is a grave and radical proposal that is far beyond the pale of mainstream jurisprudence. Roberts also urged in legal briefs that the Supreme Court, on which he might soon sit, reverse Roe v. Wade by way of a new finding that there is no constitutionally protected right to abortion. Would Judge Roberts also extend this view to contraception? The Council for Secular Humanism is devoted to attaining a modern civilization in which not only are believers and nonbelievers equal before the law, but also in which the dignity and privacy rights of each human being are protected from majority overreaching. The Council is thus committed to preserving the true intent of the Bill of Rights. To this end, the record already revealed about Judge Roberts is contrary to the ideal of an officially secular society, in which all branches of government are limited in the degree to which they can preempt individual choices. We urge you to join us in writing to our senators to express our opposition to Roberts, to ask him tough and revealing questions about his stance on these vital issues, and to reject him for those positions which are antithetical to the liberties that are guaranteed by our constitution and by human rights. Please forward this to your friends and family and ask them to join us in calling on our senators to fulfill their appropriate role and reject Judge Roberts.
Tom Flynn Edward Tabash
Dear [ Decision Maker ] , I am writing to ask you to delve deeply into Judge Roberts's stance on important constitutional issues and to reject his nomination to the Supreme Court based upon his stated positions on religious freedom and privacy. Justice O'Connor has maintained that the First Amendment protects the rights of believers and nonbelievers alike. Unfortunately, there are powerful indications that Judge Roberts does not believe in government neutrality in matters of religion. For instance, twenty years ago, as a lawyer in the Reagan White House, he urged the passage of legislation that would strip the federal courts of jurisdiction over school prayer cases. To divest the federal courts of jurisdiction over enforcement of the First Amendment is a grave and radical proposal that is way beyond the pale of mainstream jurisprudence. Roberts also urged in legal briefs that the Supreme Court, on which he might soon sit, reverse Roe v. Wade by way of a new finding that there is no constitutionally protected right to abortion. Would Judge Roberts also extend this view to contraception and other liberties protected by our constitutional right to privacy? There can be no true limited government if there is not an enforceable right of privacy, and by all appearances, Judge Roberts believes there is no such right. Please preserve our rights under the Constitution and reject Judge Roberts, who threatens to severely curtail those rights.
Sincerely, |
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| Background Information |
The Supreme Court may radically change with the next two appointments, one of whom, Judge Roberts, now has been nominated to be the Chief Justice. This nomination must be carefully scrutinized by our senators, whose constitutional duty is one of advice and consent. In this case, there are strong indications that Roberts will oppose values we cherish, such as individual liberty and privacy, and that the Senate should not consent to his nomination.
During these fractious times, a consensus candidate for such a vital role must be found. The Senate has an opportunity now to call for such an individual to be nominated rather than a radical ideologue, and to help unite the country behind someone who will respect our cherish liberties and freedoms. Please join us in calling for our elected leaders to fulfill their constitutional role and reject Judge Roberts’s nomination.
