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SCOTUS needs an Athiest

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pmills
Posts: 7162 - Karma: 59
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe--cooper-20100504,0,4381869,full.story

the court without Stevens will be left with six Catholics and two Jews, the open seat should not go to either domination. Nor should it go to a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, a Methodist, a Muslim or even a Zoroastrian. If it did, that would make nine people who all have one religious principle in common: a belief in religion.

Clearly, the next person to take the bench should be an atheist.


I doubt this thread will make it 30 posts before dissolving into THAT thread, but what the heck give it a try.


I think Marc Cooper makes a valid point--atheists are an underrepresented group in government. Though I didn't know about the laws on the books, apparently there are states with unconstitutional laws that prevent (read: make it incredibly difficult) non-believers from taking office.

There is no doubt in my mind that we will see female and minority presidents long before we see an atheist president.


That said, what arguments could possibly be made against an Atheist (on the grounds of the atheistic belief) becoming a SCOTUS Justice?

May 4 2010 3:59PM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 842
Inb4 a storm of shit.
May 4 2010 4:02PM
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degugirl14
Posts: 9 - Karma: 10
ooh ooh, i've got one.




America.
May 4 2010 4:03PM
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Elmo.
Posts: 4317 - Karma: 663
i think i=that is very true... atheists dont get respect or really recongized in our country. like 20% of my school is atheist and no one cares lol its dumb
May 4 2010 4:03PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Well some estimates I have seen show that approx. 6 % of the country is atheist, that being said, one seat on the Supreme Court represents just over 11% of the country.

So proportionately I don't know if we are there yet, but it would be nice to see someone in there who could help separate government from religion. It happening now though I believe is doubtful.

My statistic on percentage of atheist in the US may be off as well, I know it is increasing though. Regardless, the vast majority is religious and I just don't think it will fly at this time.
May 4 2010 4:07PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
I'll be that president
May 4 2010 4:16PM
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sk1er
Posts: 614 - Karma: 10
Religious people piss me off
May 4 2010 4:22PM
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b-ladd
Posts: 2300 - Karma: 48
Oh my fucking god yes, an atheist would be terrific. No one represents us non-believers. I get sick of living in a christian nation somtimes.
May 4 2010 4:25PM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
seems like its about time. it cannot be that religions control western democracies through their representatives.

its almost like iran or so. just not so direct


May 4 2010 4:29PM
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mathmansam
Posts: 293 - Karma: 40
I think that it would be incredible to have a non-believer in a seat of power in the government.  However, many people are scared that a non-believer would ruin the world.  There is no evidence to support this, but it is still a fear, so as was previously stated, it will probably be a little while longer before an atheist is in a powerful position
May 4 2010 4:31PM
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pmills
Posts: 7162 - Karma: 59
this is a fair argument -- however the article quoted 16% (which is probably non-religious versus atheist)


however an argument based on this premise would conclude that the Jewish faith is grossly over represented with only ~2% of the population and 2 Justices
May 4 2010 4:31PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Very true, and although not atheist myself, I am not specifically religious and do support a strong separation between church and state. Ideally, politicians religions would have nothing to do with their politics, but unfortunately for many that is what their ideas stem from.

I personally just don't see it happening in the immediate future, perhaps in a decade or two it can become a reality.
May 4 2010 4:37PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Also, the Jewish community does have quite a large voice in government via financing along with a strong support for one another. I don't think there has been a really strong atheist movement yet that is financially backed, which in politics is what it usually boils down to.
May 4 2010 4:41PM
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J.DUKE
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 38
i think, therefore i am agnostic
May 4 2010 5:45PM
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hoodSlayer
Posts: 900 - Karma: 7
The religion or belief of a potential supreme court justice should NOT be a factor in their selection. In fact in would undermine the entire idea of the supreme court to select a judge or disqualify another because they were or weren't an atheist. The duty of a supreme court justice is to interpret the law and uphold the Constitution. If you are smart enough to make it to the supreme court you are obviously smart enough to keep your religion from becoming an influencing factor. In addition, the fact that all of the justices have a religion and yet make opposing decisions shows that this is a non issue.
May 4 2010 5:54PM
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Gnartron.
Posts: 127 - Karma: 10

It's spelled "atheist" dicksuck

May 4 2010 5:56PM
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snowking249
Posts: 1452 - Karma: 34
sometimes. Sorry, I had to.
May 4 2010 5:57PM
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ISellMeth
Posts: 1440 - Karma: 673
Agreed

May 4 2010 6:13PM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
however sometimes bias introduces itself into some law, such as abortion or gun control. It would be good to have a broad spread on the bench
May 4 2010 6:28PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Well it looks like Elena Kagan is going to be our new Justice. Kind of funny to the point in the earlier post about representing a equal portion of the population and now another person of the Jewish faith is being added.
May 10 2010 1:55AM
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CypressGrove
Posts: 1116 - Karma: 12
FSM FTW
May 10 2010 2:12AM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Pastafarianism
May 10 2010 2:40AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Atheists in government, scarier than card carrying members of the communist party.
May 10 2010 3:30AM
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Elijah.
Posts: 9322 - Karma: 76
Oh lawds its one of them pinkos, get the chirrun inside!
May 10 2010 3:35AM
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1337
Posts: 31038 - Karma: 29,003
i lol'd
May 10 2010 5:38AM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15077 - Karma: 9,131
yay! this article was in my local newspaper today, so i will post in this thread agreeing with it!
May 10 2010 7:17AM
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feihlination
Posts: 8356 - Karma: 1,084
^1 week delay?? where do you live?
May 10 2010 7:43AM
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All times are Eastern (-4)