January 11, 2006
Column #1,272
Unity of Black & White Evangelicals, Catholics
by Michael J. McManus
A new unity of black and white Evangelicals and Catholics surfaced in a "Justice
Sunday III" simulcast aired on Christian TV and radio networks prior to the
Senate hearings on the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito as a Supreme Court
Justice.
Historically, black evangelicals have been politically liberal. All
African-American
religious denominations are members of the National Council of Churches, known
for its stout opposition to every Republican initiative. In 2004 Bush won only
11% of black voters.
However, the latest Family Research Council's "Justice Sunday" simulcast was
broadcast from Greater Exodus Baptist Church of Rev. Herbert Lusk of
Philadelphia, a former Philadelphia Eagle and one of the city's most respected
black pastors. One speaker and singer was Dr. Alveda King, a niece of Martin
Luther King. Another was Bishop Wellington Boone, best-selling author and
frequent Promise Keepers speaker.
Lusk told the crowd that in hosting the event, "I've been called everything but
a child of God. I've been called a sell-out. I've been called an Uncle Tom and
"The New York Times" called me a maverick to the black church. Well, I just want
the "Times" to note that, if a maverick can be defined as one who is pro-life,
then I am a maverick." The crowd laughed and applauded.
"And if being a maverick means that I am one who supports the original intent of
God
Almighty to have a husband and a wife (applause), then I want you to mark right
next to my name, Herbert Hoover Lusk II, Maverick."
He quoted Psalm 11:3, "If the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous
do?"
"I want you to know the foundations are being tampered with. Fifty-five of the
original signers of our Constitution were all men of God...We're facing in
history like never before the hostility against the people of God."
Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, outlined judicial
attacks against "religious liberties and freedoms. Just in this last year the
Supreme Court has declared that the Ten Commandments cannot be posted on public
property if they make reference to the author of those commandments."
A federal circuit court rules "the pledge of allegiance is unconstitutional for
our children to say `one nation under God.' And just days ago a federal judge in
Indiana said that the House of Representatives that has a 180-year tradition of
opening their sessions in prayer - cannot do so if they mention the name of
Jesus Christ."
Patrick Korten of the Knights of Columbus, America's largest Catholic men's
group, said they persuaded Congress to add "under God" to the Pledge of
Allegiance in 1954 because the Declaration of Independence asserted "we are
endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights. We believe these rights
come from God, not the states."
Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, a co-sponsor of the simulcast,
frankly proclaimed that his goal was to "help get Judge Samuel Alito confirmed"
because he might reverse the "judicial tyranny" of the Supreme Court on
religious issues. "For 60 years this court has forced its will on the American
people. The decisions that have been made have not been chosen by the American
people."
He cited polls showing that 70% of Americans support prayer in schools, at
graduation activities and sporting events and to retain "under God" in the
Pledge. He noted 19 states decided to add to state constitutions that marriage
is between a man and a woman, but expected the Supreme Court to rule on the
issue. Indeed, in Lawrence v. Texas, Justice Scalia predicted the court would
legalize gay marriage.
Dobson observed that in nominating Judge Alito to the court, Bush chose a man
given the highest rating by the left-leaning American Bar Association and one
with more judicial experience than 105 out of all 108 nominees.
Yet Dobson was confident Alito was an "originalist who will not legislate from
the bench but who will interpret the constitution."
Rev. Jerry Falwell was more blunt: "Catholics and Evangelicals have come
together"
because "we have a war in this country between the secular supremists who want
to gut any expression of religion and those people "who support "the traditional
understanding of freedom of religion...Either they win or we win."
In his first nine hours of grilling by the Senate, Alito delighted his
supporters by giving more direct responses to questions than did John Roberts
while remaining "mostly untouchable" according to a New York Times analysis.
I predict he will easily win confirmation, and remove the Supreme Court's
anti-religious bias.
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