| _____Creation Science Newsletter_____ February 2006 |
| Ambitious Judges, Bullies, and Sacrifical Lambs by RoseAnn Salanitri |
| Most of us watched the Dover,, Pennsylvania case where the ACLU sued the Board of Education members who dared to challenge the Theory of Evolution. If you followed the media reports, you would come away thinking that the board members incorporated Intelligent Design into the science curriculum. You would be wrong. The board Simply included a sentence at the beginning of the science course that stated theories regarding origins existed other than Evolution. The dust has finally settled and what actually transpired is now clear. Judge John Jones did more than preside over the proceedings. Even after the board members who implemented the controversial statement had not been re-elected to their positions and the new board members pledged to overturn the prior board's inclusion of the statement, Judge Jones determined to hear the case anyway. While most responsible judges concerned about spending taxpayers' dollars on cases that were a non-issue would have dismissed the case, those seeking a possible gubernatorial candidacy would tend to see such a controversial issue as an opportunity to gain notoriety. It is rumored that Judge Jones has expressed interest in running for governor, and one can't help but wonder if his ambitions triumphed over the taxpayers' interest. Enter the ACLU. For those who are unfamiliar with the legal conglomerate, the ACLU is publicly funded and often takes cases that challenge Christian ideals and practices under the pretense of defending American liberties. Unfortunately, the ACLU dominated the Dover case and successfully managed to label Intelligent Design as Intelligent Design Creationism, subsequently arguing that "creationism" cannot be taught in a religiously neutral and publicly funded school. (By this logic, Evolution should be labeled as Evolution Atheism.) Intelligent Design, however, was not mentioned in the Board's statement, but nonetheless it became the focus of the case. Judge Jones agreed with the ACLU and wrote a scathing opinion against and strongly reprimanded the original board members. This case and his comments made headlines and Judge Jones' name is now nationally recognized. It gets worse. Not only did the ACLU win the case, but it also asked to be reimbursed for legal fees - as is their custom. The fees serve a dual purpose; they are a source of income for the ACLU and they also act as a source of intimidation for anyone considering a court battle against them. It should be noted that the ACLU's lawyers donate their time to this organization. Judge Jones knew that but was more than happy to pass on these exorbitant attorney's fees to the town. Latest word has it that there is a possibility that the defendants will also be held culpable, making them the sacrificial lamb in the fight between Evolution and Creationism. These fees are reported to be well over a million dollars. Given their shrewd method of operation, is it any wonder that many buckle and compromise their principles at the mere mention of an ACLU lawsuit? This intimidating bully has often held America and its religious freedoms hostage. Common sense should tell us that any study of origins leads to philosophical questions such as is there a God or isn't there? The government (and Judge Jones) should be sued for taking sides in this controversy and thus establishing and preferring one religious doctrine to another. If anyone should be reprimanded in this instance, it is Judge Jones for misusing public office and depriving the defendants of their freedom of thought, religion, conscious, and speech. An America that squashes the principles of opposing viewpoints is NOT the America our Founding Fathers designed. The good news in this is that there are organizations that will stand in the gap for our religious freedoms, i.e. the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice), and the ADF (Alliance Defense Fund). While many may be intimidated by this case, I encourage you to stand fast and overcome - the truth cannot be suppressed. And I also warn you that the Book of Revelation tells us what happens at the end of time to those who are afraid to stand up for what is right. Cowards are the first to be thrown into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8) - even before sinners! Standing fast is not just an admirable thing to do, our faith requires it. |