Should Religion Matter?

[Matty]

[El Barto]

The whole person matters. Religion is a part of the whole person.

I think I would never be caught saying, "This guy is a constitutional genius, and it doesn't bother me at all that he belives in sacrificing humans to the devil."


(Your poll is too vague)

[theweatherman]

If the justice feels that they cannot act outside of their religious belies then it is a HUGE issue. The religion of the justice matters nothing to me, them acting on this religion is a terrible idea that should not be allowed to happen

For those who voted no...how would you feel about a scientologist taking the bench? A buddhist? A Muslim?

[elwoodblues]

I would say that their religiosity matters more than their religion, but both matter.

Religion helps to shape fundamental beliefs. A potential justice's fundamental beliefs are very important.

Religiosity would help you determine the extent to which the justice would be held to their religious beliefs in answering difficult questions.

For example, imagine that the court had to determine if a live sex show in oregon was permissible free speech under the first amendment. Understanding how one's religion would respond to such an issue might be important. More important (in my opinion) is whether the person is fundamental to an extent that their judgment might otherwise be clouded --- whether they will default to following their religion (in essence creating a burden shifting.)

As was suggested by someone else in this thread, while I think these are important things to know, they are just pieces of a larger puzzle.

[tolbiny]

I answered assuming you meant that if I were to choose a nominee, would religion matter, or do i think it should matter to the person choosing (close enough). Its a def yes, if you are a religious person, because you have chosen to live your life based upon certain principles for whatever dumfuck reason that allowed you to convince yourself there's a god. How could you possibly ignore that part of you when appointing someone to a highly influencial lifelong position.
And if you ain't religious, you otta be smart enough not to put one of dem wackos on the bench.

[El Barto]

Grey likely posted this poll because of what Bush said:

"People are interested to know why I picked Harriet Miers," Bush told reporters at the White House. "Part of Harriet Miers' life is her religion."


Part of her life is her religion. You could say that about anyone who has a religion. That's some damning material Grey, you nailed Bush red handed. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

And as someone who claims to be a polling expert, how could you post a poll as vague as this one? Several people have had to "define" their understanding of the poll question before they could respond to it.

Yeah, and another part of her life appears to be worshipping the ground GWB walks on. Sorry, but the country deserves a little bit more than another Bush crony appointment.

I voted no. Their religion doesn't matter. I agree with the guy that said their religiosity does. If an atheist or agnostic were nominated could you imagine the uproar?

[[censored]]

I voted no on a quick reaction. But I can imagine cases where it would matter.