Published September 17, 2005
IN THEORY
Q: Senate hearings were held on President Bush's nomination of John Roberts as the next chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. Should Roberts' religious leanings affect his jurisprudence and/or be a part of the debate over his appointment?
A: Of course we need to be concerned with Roberts' religious convictions.
Each person, whether they sit on the Supreme Court or in the judging booth of the local swim meet, brings their own prejudices to the bench. Some are able to control and even lose themselves, in striving for the ideal of making justice blind. These are the ones we should be calling to the judicial positions. Those that cannot, usually betray themselves and are distanced from making those decisions that affect others. In all of our dealings, our personal prejudices, shaped by our faith and convictions, play a part in the decision making process.
No matter how minute or trivial that influence may be, it behooves us to know what the variables are.
When you look at the events in the world today, it is easy to be critical of religion and religious convictions. After all, we see all the misunderstanding, the intolerance, hatred and distain for one another based on a my-God-is-better-than-yourgod mentality. But by the same token, it is important to remember most of the best expressions of love and care have evolved from religious thought and the faith community.
Blind justice is the ideal. Our goal is to come as close to it as possible.
On a personal level though, I would hope that justice could be dished out with compassion for the weak. That personal prejudice would show throw and rule me out of the justice game.
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
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