# Shove those commandments right up your burning bush you pandering ass! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072 "2004-12-16T01:36:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/41 "2004-12-16T14:46:14Z")
**Aldebaran** you dimwit, the institutions, not the people, are suppose to be secular. Hence the uproar. Mind you this is what? The hundredth time someone has tried to explain it to you so I doubt it’ll stick this time either. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/42 "2004-12-16T14:47:52Z")
Shows what a heathen I am. I read this as “shove those condiments” up your ass. I thought it was a rant against a waiter who’d brought Worcestershire instead of A1. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/43 "2004-12-16T14:49:07Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > Out of curiosity, what’s your opinion on the OP? The judge’s robe is inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/44 "2004-12-16T14:51:37Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > Not true. I have never once used the terms “right and wrong” in this respect. I’ve always argued just the opposite, that judges should enforce the Constutution as it is written rather than finding loopholes or creating ridiculous constructions such as “ceremonial deism” out of whole cloth in order to impose a personal religious or moral influence on their decisions. But you’re OK with loopholes like penumbras and emanations that include the right to privacy, the right to abortion, the right to same-sex marriage, and the right to consensual sodomy, also “whole cloth” in their source. Spare me. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/45 "2004-12-16T15:00:13Z")
> [@](#): > > . . . a judicial robe with the Ten Commandments embroidered on the front in gold. Sounds a bit . . . _busy_ to me. How does he accessorize this wrap? A kicky little gold-lamé clutch and pillbox hat? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/46 "2004-12-16T15:00:38Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > I’m with you brother. > > You reckon the rapture has happened and evil is running the show? Considering the odds of someone both following the correct religion combined with the odds of someone who believes in said correct religion, would anyone even **notice** if Habib Najahasafalan were to disappear from the his desert island (because being there is the only way he could avoid sinning, of course)? Hmmm… -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/47 "2004-12-16T15:04:50Z")
> [@grienspace](#): > > For arguments sake, should male Sikh judges be allowed to wear their turbans on the bench ? Yes. The turban is a required aspect of the Sikh faith. Banning this would place an undue burden on the ability of the Sikh to freely exercise his religion. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/48 "2004-12-16T15:53:42Z")
> [@RTA](#): > > One wears a t-shirt that reads, “Real Men Love Jesus”. Wasn’t there a poem about that? It’s not unambiguously non-blasphemous… ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/49 "2004-12-16T16:18:55Z")
> [@grienspace](#): > > For arguments sake, should male Sikh judges be allowed to wear their turbans on the bench ? > > Or female muslim judges wear the burka ? Yes and yes. And I already said a judge can wear a crucifix. He can also wear a yarmulke or ashes on his head on Ash Wedensday. Thos things are aspects of personal practice, they are not official endoresements. But when a judge wears actual written commands about who and how to worship, you’ve got yourself an establishment violation, pure and simple. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/50 "2004-12-16T16:32:21Z")
The judge is just a publicity pimp. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/51 "2004-12-16T17:42:22Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But you’re OK with loopholes like penumbras and emanations that include the right to privacy, the right to abortion, the right to same-sex marriage, and the right to consensual sodomy, also “whole cloth” in their source. > > Spare me. You know, Bricker, I respect the validity of strict constructionism. But it’s not the only valid point of view, and just like Biblical literalism it is fraught with argument when the text has to be interpreted in order to apply it to situations it couldn’t have specifically addressed. Your point of view on the subject is both rational and legally unimpeachable, but it’s not the only viewpoint that a person may share. You sometimes seem to refuse to acknowledge any view that’s not based on your own personal reading of the document, and you trip over yourself to point out when others opinions are not consistent with your own views. Having different opinions than you on the constitution does not necessarily make one a hypocrite, and it’s also okay to take a break from your Liberal Hypocricy Patrol and, for instance, acknowledge that the judge here is behaving in an utterly inappropriate manner. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/52 "2004-12-16T17:49:59Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > it’s also okay to take a break from your Liberal Hypocricy Patrol and, for instance, acknowledge that the judge here is behaving in an utterly inappropriate manner. You mean like his comment in post #43? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/53 "2004-12-16T18:08:02Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > You know, Bricker, I respect the validity of strict constructionism. But it’s not the only valid point of view, and just like Biblical literalism it is fraught with argument when the text has to be interpreted in order to apply it to situations it couldn’t have specifically addressed. Your point of view on the subject is both rational and legally unimpeachable, but it’s not the only viewpoint that a person may share. You sometimes seem to refuse to acknowledge any view that’s not based on your own personal reading of the document, and you trip over yourself to point out when others opinions are not consistent with your own views. Having different opinions than you on the constitution does not necessarily make one a hypocrite, and it’s also okay to take a break from your Liberal Hypocricy Patrol and, for instance, acknowledge that the judge here is behaving in an utterly inappropriate manner. No. I recognize a legitimate view back there amongst the penumbras and emanations. But to call for a strict adherence to the law when you want it, and then support the penumbras when you don’t… THAT doesn’t fly. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/54 "2004-12-16T18:34:54Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Should a blind defendant or plaintiff enter the court of jurist x, then it really doesn’t matter, now does it? Yes, it does. People aren’t upset about this because the sight of the ten commandments is offensive, they’re upset because it’s an endorsement of religion by a government official. I would be equally outraged even if I agreed with the sentiment expressed on the judge’s robe. It’s not appropriate for a judge, acting in his official capacity, to express _any_ opinion on religion, pro- or con-, Christian or otherwise. > [@](#): > > _And the judge didn’t look at the 27 8x10 glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one._ > > Presumably, you have a mind. Use it. Huh? Was this addressed to me? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/55 "2004-12-16T18:44:27Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But you’re OK with loopholes like penumbras and emanations that include the right to privacy, the right to abortion, the right to same-sex marriage, and the right to consensual sodomy, also “whole cloth” in their source. _Enters thread_ _Sees Bricker has said exactly what he would have said._ _Exits thread._ So, **Bricker** , when’s my next shift? You’re pulling heavy duty these days. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/56 "2004-12-16T19:02:11Z")
I disagree that equal protection is a “penumbra.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/57 "2004-12-16T19:04:15Z")
Appropros of nothing, I once briefly played in an accoustic guitar combo called Penumbra. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/58 "2004-12-16T19:09:20Z")
We won’t fret about it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/59 "2004-12-16T19:15:44Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > We won’t fret about it. Take him out and shoot him. I’ll swear out the warrant later. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072/60 "2004-12-16T19:20:50Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I disagree that equal protection is a “penumbra.” Me, too. How about that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shove-those-commandments-right-up-your-burning-bush-you-pandering-ass/280072.md?page=4)