Posted by
Bob Siegel on Monday, November 09, 2009 4:36:01 PM
Twice now, I have been chastised by attorneys, once after a lecture this past weekend in the Bay Area, and once a couple of years ago on the radio when I debated a lawyer over the air on The Rick Amato Show.
Each incident was fueled by the same subject; my contention that the words "separation between church and state" are not found in the constitution, but, rather, were drummed into our minds by a court case that interpreted the Establishment Clause in such a fashion. This led to my other controversial remark. "No where does the constitution say that it is the job of the Supreme Court to interpret the constitution. That tradition is a case law developed as a result of Marbury vs. Madison."
Both times, I was chewed out for talking about law without having gone to law school. On the radio, there was more time to pursue the challenge and I did so by asking my opponent how he felt about landmark Supreme Court rulings such as the Dred Scott Decision. Within minutes of that twist in conversation, the attorney hung up and ended the radio call.
The guy on the radio was not a Christian. Indeed, we were debating because he had recently made news by suing Army officers who talk too much about their faith with subordinates. The attorney in the audience was a Christian but still hated what I said, supposedly out of his respect for the law. Both men called me legally ignorant and said it in a very nasty, condescending tone. They enthusiastically pointed out that I had not been to law school.
Two observations: Interestingly enough, neither fellow refuted my position with actual facts. One would think that a couple of lawyers would understand the difference between a valid rebuttal and an Ad Hominem.
On the other hand, they certainly felt free to express themselves about Christianity. Not once did they hear me say, "Excuse me. I have been to seminary and you haven't. I guess that ends the discussion, doesn't it?"
Have certain professionals become so arrogant that one is not allowed to read the constitution for himself without being reminded that apart from law school he cannot possibly understand it? Perhaps this is the very idea that spawned so much irresponsible, nonsensical judicial activism.
Oh yes. For what it is worth; I have talked to law school graduates who agree with what I said about the Supreme Court. But why should that even matter? If you don't believe me, read our constitution. Just don't let a lawyer catch you reading it.
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