February 5, 2012

Major Court Ruling on Race and Patient Hospital Rights Today

Remember the ground breaking, massive generational study the Pew Research Center released?  The one that showed that despite all of their good qualities, a vast majority of the so-called "silent generation" (those born prior to 1928) and, to a somewhat lesser degree the "greatest generation" (those born from 1928 through 1945) were, on many issues such as interracial relationships and gay marriage, unrepentant irrational bigots?  Yeah, that one.  The real world implications of that study were … [Read more...]

Which Supreme Court Justice Are You? (I’m Anthony Kennedy)

justice-anthony-kenned-supreme-court

I just took the test rated highest for accuracy answering the question "Which Supreme Court Justice Are You?". Turns out, like the famous world's-smallest-political-test I took the other day, I really am a centrist.  I match Justice Kennedy 72% of the time, and he is the swing vote on the court that makes most of the decisions.  Justice Thomas, Justice Alito and Chief Justice Roberts were close runners-up based upon my answers. The criticisms from the far right of Kennedy are that he … [Read more...]

Pew Research Center Completes Massive Study of Millennial Generation

Marriage Ages Rising by Generation

The highly revered Pew Research Center has completed one of the most extensive studies it has ever undertaken.  It focuses on the so-called Millennial Generation, which consists of those who are currently 18-28 years old, and contrasts them with their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents on a wide range of economic, spiritual, social and cultural factors. This study includes data on everything from the total percentage points that believe the Bible is the literal word of God to the … [Read more...]

My Analysis of Judge Walker’s Proposition 8 Ruling, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Legalizing Gay Marriage in California (and Possibly the Entire United States)

Perry v. Schwarzenegger Ruling from Judge Vaughn Walker Analysis

I finally got through the ruling from Judge Vaughn Walker in Perry v. Schwarzenegger which overturned Proposition 8 as unconstitutional and it is scathing.  I have never read anything worded this strongly other than Scalia's dissent in Lawrence v. Texas where you could virtually hear the man shrieking with fists flying (and I say that having tremendous, enormous respect for Justice Scalia's intellect, which at times, soars to the level of an apostle preaching legal gospel). Perry v. … [Read more...]

Is the Phrase “Unelected Activist Judge” an Insult or a Compliment?

Judicial Activism and Activist Judges

I've been too busy to post my reaction and thoughts on the Perry v. Schwarzenegger ruling from the district court that struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional and made gay marriage legal.  I'll try to get to that in the next few days but the businesses must come first. (You know my rule: Unless I've read something completely, I try not to discuss it or give an opinion.  I wanted to get through the entire 136 pages of Judge Walker's opinion before commenting.)  UPDATE: My analysis of the … [Read more...]

Pornography Study Failed After Researchers Couldn’t Find a Single Man Who Hadn’t Viewed X-Rated Material

Pornography Statistics in the United States and World

Human behavior fascinates me to no end.  Today, I was reading through yet another batch of research papers and studies and one of them made me do a double-take.  Scientists in the United Kingdom wanted to research whether or not pornography degraded women by changing how men viewed them or treated them. The first task was to create a control group of men who had never looked at porn - and the scientists could not find a single man in his 20s that qualified. As Professor Simon Louis … [Read more...]

My Reflections on Christian Legal Society Chapter of University of California Hastings College of Law v. Martinez Supreme Court Ruling

Majority of Americans Believe Gay Relationships Are Moral

Back in college, when I was the student body treasurer and chairman of the finance board, a Christian group known as Campus Crusade for Christ threatened to sue the university because they wanted to be officially recognized.  The problem was they required that their elected leaders leaders sign a personal "Statement of Beliefs" pledge that included a provision affirming that homosexuality was a sin and the leader did not engage in immoral sexual conduct. This went against the university's … [Read more...]

Does Religion Have a Responsibility to Look to Science?

Bible and Science Thoughts

Here's an interesting question: Does religion have just as much responsibility to examine scientific evidence as it does religious tradition and scriptural text? Put another way: Throughout history, religion taken as a whole has lagged behind scientific discovery and development, only to redefine itself decades, or even centuries, later.  In the case of Christianity, the Bible, specific passages in it, as well as long religious tradition were used to justify: Slavery (not only of … [Read more...]

ACLU to Defend Child Molesters Right to Attend Church

According to a new AP article, convicted child molesters have been banned from going to church because of the on-premise day care facilities operated by many religious organizations.  The argument is that the prohibition to be within a specific number of feet of minors is a fundamental violation of the religious freedom rights in the United States Constitution. You all know I'm big on personal freedom.  That's why I'm a fiscal conservative but social liberal.  I believe in the right of … [Read more...]

The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

Apple of Sodom

Discussing the Sin of Sodom at a Family Dinner After we left St. Louis, I stopped by to visit family and spent an afternoon at my grandmother's house having dinner, discussing politics, and Christianity in general.  The conversation was great and had many of the same topics that the younger generation of Christians have been discussing on everything from abortion rights to international trade. One of the things that came up was how often Christians spout scripture that they believe they … [Read more...]