Government without religion

In touting John Roberts as a Supreme Court Justice -- and ultimately Chief Justice -- President Bush said Roberts' religious views should not be used as an issue in his confirmation. However, when Bush promoted Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers last week, he said Miers' evangelical background was a factor in his decision to nominate her. Is it incongruous for Bush to promote the religious views of Miers, while asking the Senate not to consider Roberts' views? Or are they two separate issues?

They are not separate issues, but separate audiences. During the confirmation process, the Senate is the audience. The Senate cannot constitutionally use the question of religion to decide the eligibility of a justice, whether Miers or Roberts. What is important is whether Miers is ready to obey the law, like any juror to weigh the evidence presented and make a judgment based on the law rather than her personal bias. That should be the issue before the Senate, not her religion. Neither the Senate nor the president have the right to ask how religion will affect the decisions of a nominee. Any good Christ follower would be compelled to follow the law, regardless of his or her own bias.

I sat in a jury room two weeks ago for a child molestation case. Jurors were asked if they could make a decision based on the law regardless of their personal disgust for the act being tried. One man asked to be excused from the jury based on his religion. His faith system would not allow him to see the defendant as innocent until proven guilty. The mere accusation was enough to bring judgment. Fortunately, that is not the way the law works in the United States. Jurors and justices are asked to withhold judgment until the details of the case are represented and then make a decision based on the applicable law. My faith requires me to obey the law. My comment to the lawyers in that case was that when someone comes to court, he or she usually claims innocence. In contrast, when someone comes to my office, they usually admit their guilt. It is my professional duty to look separate my personal feelings from their actions and see their need for healing, wholeness and hope.

If Miers knows and follows the Jesus I know, she can follow the law. Whether or not she is actually qualified to be there in the first place is a whole other question.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE PASTOR

RIC OLSEN

Harbor Trinity

Costa Mesa