How Scalia's religion informs his judgments.

[cheyanne]

There has been some disbelief and dismay at Scalia’s astounding statement that the state can favor religion over secularism. However, in an article about his views on capital punishment “God’s Justice and Ours”, http://www.firstthings.com/..., Scalia explains his basis for this belief.

Divine right never died.
Scalia explains that in past times the majority of people were told that rulers gained their authority directly from god. And this was backed by a pageant of ceremonies that connected the god and the ruler. However, with democracy, it is not so self-evident to people that the state recieves its authority from god (because politicians, elections and such.)

But the state’s authority in a democracy is derived from god just as it is in a monarchy.

Divine right means that the Constitution was divinely ordained at its inception to further the aims of god through civil authority.

He believes the Constitution is not a living document, just as the bible is not a living document, and therefore society’s views of judgments and punishments should not change, but must adhere to the god’s word as given in the bible.

God has given the government the authority to judge and punish in accordance with god’s laws.

Thus because God punished with death, the state can also punish with death.

Civil rights not mentioned in the bible are not legitimate.

Since there is no mention of a right of abortion in the bible it can not be a legitimate civil right.

This is a very general summary of Scalia's arguments.

Please read the article. I'd like to know if I am understanding his arguments.

[shraby]

1. Methinks Scalia has gone around the bend. Demetia is setting in big-time.

His judgement is fast disappearing. What was there wasn't the best, but it's getting pretty thin.

[jaysunb]

5. I think you are correct

He appears to be unable to adhere to any kind of "judicial temperament" publicly and almost seems get quite a charge out of making what he has to realize are inflammatory remarks.
Over the last 10 years or so, I've witnessed several people I know go through this early and mid stage of dementia and Alzheimer's and his behavior certainly fits the pattern.
I'm loathe to wish any human ill, but in this case; hurry sun down

[Fawke Em]

7. I just keep asking where the hell Karma is hiding, myself.

[Wolf Frankula]

2. Somebody Remind that Fool that The Authority of The United States Government

Does not come from God. It comes from WE THE PEOPLE!

Wolf

[Wella]

3. Link doesn't work

Can't evaluate if your statements are true or not.

[cheyanne]

4. Sorry, is this better?

http://www.firstthings.com/article/2002/05/gods-justice-and-ours

Thanks for your input.

[Wella]

11. Thanks very much!

[napi21]

6. I would like to hear why Scalia believes the Constitution get it's authority through divine

ordination, since most of the founders and signers were atheists?

I am a Catholic as he is, but I never believed our Constitution was based upon religion. Hell, we fought a war to separate from England and their mandatory religion!

I'm betting no one who he respects ever asked him to explain that...or maybe there isn't anyone he respects?

[defacto7]

9. I think you're on to something.

I seriously doubts he sees anything beyond his own prejudice. I dare say there's a hint of megalomania in his words.

[defacto7]

8. It's like judgment by a mad man.

Whether he has his full faculties or not, his positions are heretical to the constitution, the bill of rights and the precepts and precedents of justice that the US has stood on and progressed from since it's foundation. This man truly seeks a coup d'etat to tear down our present government and set up a Theocracy.

I think this is heresy and an impeachable offense against the people of the United States.

He is an embarrassment to all Americans in the eyes of the free world and further undercuts any honorable respect we have left.

Is it important that we are a laughing stock? In this case yes because it shows how stupid the US has become. We the People of the US are being held hostage by a justice of stupidity which will erode our function as a society to the point of obsolescence.

This is pitiful. It is not the judicial balance that makes a democratic republic function, it's the judicial ignorance that destroys a nation.

Scalia must be removed.

[Uben]

10. He's an embarassment to mankind...

People with such activist beliefs have no place in the supreme court. He is in it for himself and himself only.
Of course he should resign, but he won't because of his narcissism. Worthless piece of shit!