Moore Trouble: Alabama's former chief justice may challenge Bush for the religious vote

Opinion Journal ^ | 02/02/04 | John Fund

[Pokey78]

A big threat to President Bush's re-election could come if his conservative base chooses not to turn out and vote in large numbers this fall. That's one reason he told a congressional Republican retreat on Saturday that he supports spending caps on the exploding federal budget. But the president could also still face a challenge from a social conservative running as a third-party candidate.

[Zack Nguyen]

Matthew 6:5-6 "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen."

In context, that Scripture refers to excessive displays of public piety, in order to look holy in front of others. I don't believe that God is offended by those who wish to pray in His name before meals (mostly done in public), games or commencement addresses.

[ClintonBeGone]

Wonder if he would pick Trancadero (sp?) as his running mate?

If he accepted it would only confirm that he and his koolaid drinking followers want nothing more than to see GWB defeated this November.

[ClintonBeGone]

He for sure has a political future. I would like to see him governor of Alabama, then President.

You sound like the type of voter that thought Alan Keyes was a principled candidate.

[Stone Mountain]

However, Christian children are prevented from prayer anywhere, anytime.

Really? My understanding was that schools are not allowed to lead prayers, but that a student who wishes to pray on his own is fine. How does the school enforce this?

[CyberAnt]

I don't know .. it's not happening at my school .. however I have read many accounts of parents who are outraged because a GROUP OF STUDENTS (not teacher led) choose to join hands and pray, and they are told they cannot do that on school property.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. a refining of my point! Thank you!

[jimt]

I don't know .. it's not happening at my school .. however I have read many accounts of parents who are outraged because a GROUP OF STUDENTS (not teacher led) choose to join hands and pray, and they are told they cannot do that on school property.

I don't think that's legal if it's before or after school, or during lunch. It's certainly not moral. The parents should talk to a lawyer - or the ACLU ! If they want to live up to their name, this should be an ideal case for them to take up.

[CyberAnt]

Had you bothered to read my FReep page, you would have found out I understand GOD is with me everywhere.

However, that is NOT the issue. The issue is: other religions are being allowed to be practiced on school grounds, but the Christian is forbidden to practice his religion at school (or anywhere else for that matter). Also, other religions are allowed to show symbols of their faith, but a child cannot even go to school wearing a CROSS. This is "selective discrimination" and I really am getting mad about it.

[Walkin Man]

RUN ROY RUN!

I would be glad to vote for a man that actually believes in more than the latest public opinion poll!

Of course the RINO's running the republician party will try to subvert the Judge and turn him into a get-along, go along, any way the wind blows, Repub.

I hope he stays strong in his beliefs.

[BlueNgold]

To paraphrase a movie I enjoy:
He needs to seek professional help, and not a Psychologist, but a Psychiatrist, cuz hes gonna need drugs...

[BlueNgold]

ex-Justice Moore has every right to try to forward his views. But in this case running for membership of his church board would be more approriate to the policies he favors...

[Godebert]

"The President should have considered HIS consequences before he started out on his Democrat Lite agenda. I'm tired of seeing our values and our concerns go unanswered year after year and election after election. No more. The Republican Party has a simple solution to a growing problem. Start cutting government, start acting like what they PROFESS they are, and I'm sure the conservatives will once again support them. Until then, not a chance."

Well said! Conservative BTTT

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Vote for Moore and get a free rock in every public building.

[CajunConservative]

I KNOW what the issue is and I agree with you. I am not saying we don't need to stand up but I stated that the thought that came to mind when I read your post was that we need to be sure that we teach our children who are Christians that even though the muslims "need their own room to pray" and go through all the silly rituals they do, it is really an exercise in futility on their part. Think about it. As Christians they can strip away every place to publicly pray, but they can't stop our prayers. I wasn't saying you don't personally teach your children that they can't pray. There is a difference. We still have the power to pray. That was the point.

Even if we can't utter one word out loud, we as Christians can still pray wherever we are, because the God we are praying to hears our prayers :o) Look at all the Christians in persecuted areas. God still hears their prayers, still sees their sacrifices, still sees their worship, etc...

[CyberAnt]

I know I already replied to your message, but I have something to add.

I don't believe there is such a thing as "silent" prayer. Prayer is SPEAKING YOUR FAITH. If you can't speak .....?? And .. people need to realize that the devil is well aware that it requires your voice to activate your faith; why else would the liberals want you silent ..??

It's fine with me if nobody in the world agrees with me .. this is just what I believe.

[Amelia]

However, Christian children are prevented from prayer anywhere, anytime.

That's just not true.

Christian children at our public school have "Meet me at the Pole" day where they gather by the flagpole to pray before school. They have a Bible study club, and when we had recess, a group of them would gather in one corner of the commons area to pray and sing a hymn.

As long as it's student organized and voluntary, it's perfectly fine.

[MissAmericanPie]

You sound like the kind that thinks Bush lays gold bricks.

[Ohioan]

Many conservatives are just aching to vote FOR someone because they want to, not because they feel they have no choice. Many will not give a hoot about the consequences.

It is precisely because we do care about the consequences, that we would like to have someone to rally around, rather than simply not vote for important offices. And it has to be kept in mind, that sometimes great results take many much smaller steps to bring to fruition. Let us remember that Wallace leaving the Democratic Party in 1968--even though he returned 4 years later--set the stage for the "Reagan Democrats"--mostly the former Wallace supporters--who made the difference 12 years later.

This was the reverse of the LaFollet movement in 1924, which though it did not defeat Coolidge, helped fan an independence in Republican ranks, which led to later defections to Roosevelt's New Deal, which made the Democrats the majority party for the next generation.

If a Conservative Third Party, regardless of the effect on the election (which could go either way, as it would draw from both parties) could get over 10% of the vote, it would establish a base either for the creation of new, growing force, for others to coalesce with; or provide a reason for the political hacks in both parties to start thinking of those of us on the right as the dominant swing vote, as opposed to the present practice of both the Democrats and the "Me Too" Republicans, of endlessly fighting over self-styled "victim" groups.

Of course, the President could still head off the whole thing, by returning to the priorities he indicated--i.e. strict construction, and his religious principles--in the last campaign; at least he did, at this time of the year, before the South Carolina Primary.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[Diddle E. Squat]

Us on the religious right need to think long and hard before doing something as stupid as voting for a 'Judge' Moore or any other 3rd party 'Simon the Sourcerer' and costing Bush the election. If Christian conservatives end up putting us through 4 years of the cultural rot, corruption, judicial fiat, and weakened nat'l security of a Democrat administration, why on earth should the Republican Party ever do anything for Christian conservatives again?

If a group is going to stab the GOP in the back every time they don't get 101% of what they want, the GOP is going to do what is has to do to survive. It will go socially left while staying fiscally right(or slightly more moderate), which freezes out the Dems for good. That is the demographic mix with the biggest reach, and most likely to produce a long-lasting political dynasty. So then the social conservatives are frozen out to perpetual 3rd-party status, with no influence. Say hello to President Giuliani, and goodbye to any chance of repealing Roe V. Wade in our lifetimes.

Stupidity can end up bringing permanent negative societal changes and loss of influence.

[Ohioan]

You sound like the type of voter that thought Alan Keyes was a principled candidate.

And your point is what? Alan Keyes certainly seemed a principled candidate to me, and I voted for him 4 years ago in our Ohio Primary. He is still taking the same stands, despite the fact that there would be great inducements for him to compromise them. That sounds pretty principled to me. He certainly looks better each day, in comparison with most of the inside the Beltway Republicans in high offices.

No, he only got a small vote, because people accepted the assurances that Governor Bush was offering at the time, that his heart was really with us--that he was a strict constructionist and a religious man, who would do his duty. Well--

William Flax