The Dangers of Theocracy

[Originally published 10/12 on my old LiveJournal blog]

Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney warned in a recent speech of the danger of the U.S. becoming a theocracy....
.
.

Because of... terrorists? Oh. Not what I was expecting.

Romney warns of theocracy danger:
In remarks in N.C., says US under attack

Venturing into foreign policy, Governor Mitt Romney yesterday told a largely Republican audience that Islamic terrorists ''want to bring down our government" and ''want to put in place a huge theocracy."

''We're under attack, as you know, militarily," Romney told about 150 people gathered at an exclusive Raleigh country club. ''They're not just intent on blowing up a little bomb here and there at a shopping mall, awful as that would be. They want to bring down our government, bring down our entire economy. They want to put in place a huge theocracy."...


Sorry bro, but I'm more worried about our own citizens beating them to the punch-

Case in point:

Bush: Miers' Religion Key Part of Her Life

President Bush said Wednesday his advisers were telling conservatives about Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers' religious beliefs because they are interested in her background and "part of Harriet Miers' life is her religion."

"People are interested to know why I picked Harriet Miers," Bush told reporters at the White House. "They want to know Harriet Miers' background. They want to know as much as they possibly can before they form opinions. And part of Harriet Miers' life is her religion."

Good God! (Pardon the pun) How ridiculous is this nomination getting? How is it even remotely relevant to whether or not she belongs on the Supreme Court? But seeing as how the conservatives Bush is reaching out to here for support are the ones who were unsure if Miers would devote her judicial life solely to destroying abortion... well, I can see why. If anything, this makes Miers less qualified to be placed on the Court. The United States was founded as a secular society. The Court requires someone will approach cases without personal bias. But that is not what will happen with Miers. What the President is basically saying here is- 'Yes, she may have no experience at all as a judge, but she is very religious and therefore is qualified to be on the Supreme Court'. Think about the implications of this arrogant statement.

Supreme Court Justices are interpreters of constitutional law. Our Constitution is a secular one, and is designed to protect a separation of church and state. So what does it matter, in regards to Miers' "background", that she is as super Christ-y as they come? I know Bush's base are the ones who want to destroy that separation and place their religion in all aspects of our society (courthouses, science classes in schools, etc), but for Bush to use her religion to defend her nomination is not only an insulting and desperate tactic, it is also irrelevant and unconstitutional (see Article 6 of the Constitution). Please let there be enough sane Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to see through this farce. Now is not the time to worry about being labeled 'obstructionists'- now is the time to do your jobs!

Gov. Romney, hater of theocracy, please save us from this insanity!!!

Hello? Governor? Hello?

I leave readers with this quote, back from when our Constitution still mattered...

"Guard against those men who make a great noise about religion, in choosing representatives...If they knew the nature and worth of religion, they would not debauch it to such shameful purposes. If pure religion is the criterion to denominate candidates, those who make a noise about it must be rejected; for their wrangle about it, proves that they are void of it. Let honesty, talents and quick despatch, characterise the men of your choice."
-Reverend John Leland (in a speech on July 4th, 1802)