Ten Commandments Judge Heads to 'Trial'
By: Administrative Account | Source: CNSNews.com
November 12, 2003 10:07AM EST

By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Morning Editor
November 12, 2003

(CNSNews.com) - Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore won't be alone when he goes before a judicial court Wednesday morning to fight for his job -- and ultimately, for his belief in God.

Christians from across the nation will be in Alabama to cheer for the man who, they say, has done more to remind this country of its biblical roots, and its ethical, moral and legal foundations than any other person in the past 50 years.

The Rev. Flip Benham, national director of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America, called it "shocking" that a man of Moore's ethical integrity could be tried for ethical misconduct.

Moore's supporters have hailed him for refusing to obey a federal court order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Judicial Building.

Moore has remained unapologetic for refusing to remove the two-and-a-half-ton Ten Commandments monument that was installed on his orders. He says the issue is whether the state can acknowledge God, and he insists the First Amendment clearly allows that.

In a recent interview with WAFF-TV News, Moore said, "The very purpose of [the First Amendment] was to acknowledge God and to allow the freedom to worship God. The Constitution of Alabama says that our justice system, over which I'm the chief administrating officer, is established in evoking the favor and guidance in almighty God. So whether you're talking about your state constitution or your federal constitution, it acknowledges God.

"This judge simply said we cannot acknowledge God," Moore added. "This whole case is about federal courts assuming things they are not entitled to."

Operation Rescue/Operation Save America issued a press release praising Moore for standing in "direct opposition to the federal judicial tyranny that would have him deny his God, his faith, and his duty as Chief Justice to uphold the laws in the state of Alabama.

"He is a man of principle and a man of God. He is a Law-keeper," the statement said.

Operation Rescue said the federal judiciary, not Moore, is on trial in Alabama. The pro-life group said this is the same federal judiciary that expelled God from school, legalized the killing of babies, and ruled that homosexual sodomy was a constitutional right.

"It praises the wicked, yet hauls the righteous to court," Benham said of the federal judiciary. He praised Moore for "resisting those who are breaking the law."

The judicial court may reprimand, suspend or remove Moore from his job.

The hearing will be similar to a civil case, in which a preponderance of the evidence is necessary for a conviction, rather than a criminal case, in which guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Wire reports said Moore is expected to make a statement before the proceedings begin.

The Christian Coalition of Alabama, which supports Moore, and the American Atheists, which opposes Moore, reportedly plan to demonstrate outside the building where the judicial proceedings will take place on Wednesday.

Email this Article

Printer Friendly Version