Defense Group Blasts Radical Rulings in 'Hall of Shame' List
A California-based legal defense group blasted judges and state officials for decisions that undercut religious freedom and family values in its "Hall of Shame 2010" list.
Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit that specializes in cases of religious freedom, denounced judges, elected officials, and a school district over decisions regarding the issues of same-sex marriage, freedom of worship, health care, among others.
Topping the "Hall of Shame" list is San Francisco federal judge Vaughn Walker. Walker took the number one spot for his decision to declare Proposition 8 – California's voter-approved affirmation of traditional marriage – unconstitutional.
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PJI said Walker "lashed out against religious beliefs and moral standards" with his ruling.
Taking the second spot is California's Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his Attorney General Jerry Brown, Jr., for refusing to defend Prop. 8 following Walker's decision.
Citizen groups led the charge for a Prop.8 appeal, but Schwarzenegger and Brown refusal to defend the referendum made their case harder. Without the officials' support, proponents of Prop. 8 had difficulty establishing standing to defend the measure in the appeal.
Other events that made it onto the list include the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Christian groups at public universities cannot require their leaders to believe in and practice Christianity and the City of Rancho Cucamonga attempting to shut down a home Bible study.
PJI remarked that the "Hall of Shame" list "reminds us that there is much work to do in 2011."
The year 2011 will prove to be a crucial year for traditional marriage. The California District Court will likely declare its decision on the referendum in the new year. Also, hearings for the judicial challenges against the Defense of Marriage Act – which federally defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman – will likely play out in 2011 as well.
Challenges against DOMA include two November lawsuits launched by the American Civil Liberties Union and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, and appeals in Massachusetts where DOMA was struck down.
FRCAction Vice President Tom McClusky told The Christian Post that he is confident that, if appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, justices will side with federal law rather than overturn DOMA.
However, PJI named Supreme Court Justices on its "Hall of Shame" list for their decision that Christian groups at public universities cannot require their leaders to believe in and practice Christianity.
The full Hall of Shame 2010 list can be found at w ww.pji.org
