Note: I wasn’t sure where to put this, because while I can see it turning pitworthy, I think there’s enough meat to make it a debate. So we shall see where it goes – and my apologies to the mods if I guessed incorrectly.
From the Chicago Sun Times: Falwell Opening His Own Law School
Okay. Part of me automatically chafes at the thought of any school being run according to the dogma of someone who’s as much of a religious fruitcake as Falwell is. A law school? That gives me the willies.
And yet … I can’t articulate any good reason why this is a problem, other than the instinctive distrust – and disgust – I feel towards Falwell (which is hardly a valid argument). Well, that’s not entirely true. I’m also reacting this way because I believe, as Mr. Conn said, that it’s inappropriate and dangerous to mix federal/state laws with religious doctrine.
Then again, I suppose some of our laws (particularly local ones) may be based on the Judeo-Christian beliefs of various individuals in power – such as the Blue laws being mentioned in another GD thread.
Besides, is that really what Falwell’s doing? He wants to foster attorneys who’ll advocate from a certain position. I may loathe this position, but that doesn’t make it wrong. Besides, I’m a hypocrite, because honestly? I’d have no problem with, say, the Rev. Jesse Jackson opening a law school that focuses on the legal issues of civil rights, reparations, affirmative action, etc.
Of course those are legit legal issues, not religious ones, even if Jackson is a religious guy. Okay so maybe I’m not as big a hypocrite as I think I am. (At least not because of this.)
So enough about me. What are your thoughts on this new school? Not just the visceral reaction most (sane :D) people have to Jerry Falwell – what are the legal, constitutional and social ramifications – if any – of creating what amounts to an army of fundamentalist lawyers armed with Black’s Law Dictionary and a Bible?