It's Not About the Monument

an Analysis By Hank Beymer

The scene currently being played with Alabama as the stage, Judge Roy Moore as the lead actor, a granite monument as the stage decoration, and a cast of thousands, could truly qualify as a "comic tragedy" in classic Shakespearian meaning.

In a sense, though, this play is not about the central characters. Indeed, one could almost call them marionettes, little Geppeto's dangling and dancing at the behest of a master puppeteer. And, as with most puppeteers, this one is hidden in the dark, unseen by the vast audience that can only respond to what is seen, and not clearly knowing where the puppeteer is steering his characters.

Since declaring his refusal to bow to the Federal Courts order to remove the Ten Commandments monument, thousands of Christians have flocked to support Judge Moore, both in person at the scene, and by pronouncements in the media. At the same time, almost as many have taken Judge Moore to task for his "civil disobedience", citing scriptural commands to be obedient to the rule of civil government and law. Most recently, Pat Robertson (700 Club) and Richard Land (former president of the SBC) have soundly rebuked Judge Moore, saying that although they agree with him "in principle", they believe his tactics are wrong. On the other side, Focus on the Family leader Dr. James Dobson, and evangelist James Kennedy have supported Judge Moore, saying that there comes a time when we ought to be obedient to God, and not to man.

While both sides seem to have valid points, it does appear that this battle is not really about the monument, or the display of 10 Commandments, or any other display...it's about a judiciary that has, after decades of moving in that direction, determined that it is time for the "bench" to begin writing law instead of interpreting it, and in the process completely ignoring the determinable will of the people it is sworn to be accountable to. Judge Moore recognizes this, and has said "The battle over the Ten Commandments monument I brought into Alabama's Supreme Court is not about a monument and not about politics. (The battle is not even about religion, a term defined by our Founders as "the duty we owe to our creator and the manner for discharging it.") Federal Judge Myron Thompson, who ordered the monument's removal, and I are in perfect agreement on the fact that the issue in this case is: "Can the state acknowledge God?"

"Those were the precise words used by Judge Thompson in his closing remarks in open court. Today, I argue for the rule of law, and against any unilateral declaration of a judge to ban the acknowledgment of God in the public sector," said Judge Moore.

It is interesting to note that the Alabama state consitution specifically calls for "the favor and guidance of Almighty God." As the states Chief Justice, Judge Moore is required to uphold the constitution of that state, including acknowledgment and calling on favor and guidance from God.

Federal Judge Myron Thompson, according to Moore, has "effectively dismantled the justice system of the state. Judge Thompson never declared the Alabama Constitution unconstitutional, but the essence of his ruling was to prohibit judicial officers from obeying the very constitution they are sworn to uphold." Over the past 4 decades, and at the urging of revisionists, atheists, liberals and others who fear or hate God, the courts of our land have engaged themselves in a concerted effort to revise our Constitution, negate the Bill of Rights, and impose upon all who live here the wishes of the loudest few.
Recent polls have shown that religion and belief in the Almighty are still deeply ingrained in our citizens, and they recognize that the might and majesty of the enduring experiment (the American Republic) is soundly based upon the will and permission of God.

Not to be deterred, though, the ungodly have declared, through the courts, that God has no place in our lives, our government, or anywhere for that matter.

It is not a matter of "separation of church and state", it has become a matter of removing God from any vestige of recognition in the public arena. How much longer will it be before churches will be required to not display crosses, or to use a bible, or even LOOK like a church? Canada is on the verge of declaring Scripture as "hate literature", politicians, states and courts are being pressured to redefine marriage to include anything, and "evil-utionists" are now shouting that God is not just dead, He NEVER EXISTED!

Last year, in a case involving the Santa Fe (Texas) school district, a Federal judge held that student-led, student-initiated prayer before a sporting event was unconstitutional, because the school district (state) OWNED THE PA SYSTEM, therefore it was tacitly endorsing the "establishment of religion."

It is apparent that the court system of our country has not just exceeded its authority and mandate, but is actively legislating a complete reversal of the American ideal and principle.

Unfortunately, there is little we can do in the short run, since Federal judges are appointed to the bench, and thus not subject to the direct control of the people via the ballot box. There are limited grounds for forcing the removal of judges, and the end result is that they tend to act in an imperious manner with impunity and scorn for the expressed will and desire of the people and the Constitution.

Judges are appointed to the bench by the President, and the Congress "consents" via the Senate to the appointments. For many decades now, the Democratic party has aligned itself with those who desire to see a liberal, anything-goes society bereft of moral or spiritual influences (unless the spirits are demonic!), and has adopted an obstructionist attitude towards President Bush and his attempts to appoint conservative judges. It would seem that the only solution to the impasse lies in the complete reconstruction of the membership of the Senate and House via the ballot box, which would then allow the appointment and confirmation of judges who are not morally bankrupt, and share in the "strict constructionist" philosophy concerning Constitutional interpretation.

Christians, it is time to move into the arena of activism by letting your elected officials, from your city, county, state, and at the Federal level know exactly where you stand, and how you expect them to comport themselves and vote. No longer can we sit idly by, allowing the impious and unrepentant to tell us how and what we can do, or believe. And when it comes time to vote, canvass those who are running for office. Find out where they stand, without equivocation or wishy-washy "politispeak." And if you don't like where they stand, or what they say, campaign actively against them, and VOTE against them.

Let your voice be heard. Stand up for God. Join Judge Moore in saying "enough is enough."