So-called Justice Gorsuch derides "so-called separation of church and state. "

[Tanuki]

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gorsuch-derides-so-called-separation-church-state-n1287809

..."The case is relatively straightforward: Boston's city hall generally flies national, state, and city flags on its public flag poles, though there are occasional exceptions. On Pride Day, for example, Boston will fly a rainbow flag. If foreign dignitaries visit Boston, the city's flag poles will feature the flag of the foreign officials' countries.

With this mind, Harold Shurtleff, who represents a group called Camp Constitution, applied to have Boston fly a white flag with a red cross. He described it as a "Christian flag," at which point the city declined his request. Gregory Rooney, a local commissioner, concluded that Boston's city hall had to remain neutral on matters of faith.

A legal fight soon followed, and the case made its way to the Supreme Court. By all accounts, given the dominance of conservative justices, Shurtleff is very likely to prevail, but consider an off-hand comment Gorsuch made during oral arguments:

"As I understand it, Mr. Rooney said that he thought it was concern about the so-called separation of state, church and state, or the Constitution's Establishment Clause."


Ordinarily, when we hear references to the "so-called" constitutional principle of separation of church and state, the rhetoric is coming from televangelists or far-right politicians eager to curry favor with activists in the religious right movement.

This week, however, the phrase came from a sitting justice on the nation's highest court — suggesting he has a dismissive view of this bedrock principle of religious liberty."...(more)

[MyOwnPeace]

1. And there are some........

that will take comfort in that......

[Pantagruel]

2. The "constitutional principle of separation of church and state"

is bothersome to the establishment of a Christo-fascist state by the GOP.

[lame54]

3. The first amendment they embrace...

To say every vile thing they can think of - legally

Should be dismissed when it doesn't work for them

[modrepub]

7. Barn Door Open

for the Satanist cults to come a knockin'. The street goes many ways when it comes to religion.


https://www.nytimespost.com/outrage-as-satanic-temple-displays-demonic-baby-next-to-nativity-scene-at-statehouse-and-shouts-hail-satan/

[exboyfil]

4. Do the Satanists and Pastafarians have their flags ready to go?

Flying these flags isn't necessarily an endorsement of the specific cause/religion. Just need to test it with one of these other two faith groups.

[Johonny]

8. These expections we all know, will only apply to the "true religion" as the court sees it

whatever that is?

[MagickMuffin]

5. Well then by that standard ALL religious flags should be flown

So, have at it "justice" Gorsuch. But be careful what your fascist groove thing will bring about!

[exboyfil]

6. Yes starting with our lord and savior Lucifer flag

[MagickMuffin]

12. Indeed, this would look real good flying above anywhere it can be flown

Neil Gorsuch you a waging a war you won't be ale to win. Poor thing.

[uponit7771]

15. +1,

[gohuskies]

9. Gorsuch is in favor of the Talibanization of America

What a tool this guy is. Totally unfit to sit on the bench of the Supreme Court along with Coney-Barrett, Kavanaugh, Alito and Thomas. they are all for fascism in my opinion.

[exboyfil]

11. You forgot Roberts

He may have a bit of velvet glove but when the chips are down, you know which direction he goes.

[gohuskies]

14. Oh dang right on that. The leader of the pack..

Roberts is a corporatist who believes in right wing bs. he started a whole lot of shit with his justification for Citizens United. That was a critical decision that started a whole lot of bs and the crisis we are in for voting rights. A colossal tool

[madaboutharry]

10. Gorsuch is a privileged and entitled White Christian man and lives in a bubble with people like him.

He has no empathy for others and is incapable of seeing the world through any lens other than his own. He is the worst kind of person to hold the power of a Supreme Court Justice.

[UTUSN]

13. K&R

[LoisB]

16. The Rainbow flag does not have anything to do with any particular religion. Neither do the flags

of other countries. If I understand this guy's problem it is that if City Hall can fly a Rainbow flag, it can fly a "Christian" flag. Someone help me, I don't see his or Gorsuch's problem.

[czarjak]

17. School prayer. Coming soon?

[JHB]

18. In addition to all of the above comments, I'd question his authority to promulgate...

...his flag as "the" so-called "Christian flag". What denominations recognize it as an overarching inter-Christian flag? Which churches fly it? Do Catholics and Orthodox agree, or is this just another Some-Protestants shell game, like when they claim to speak "as Christians" but then can't bring themselves to say Catholics are Christians.

(Note that all questions posed here are rhetorical. The answer is "it's just this jerk and his foam-buddies.)

[LetMyPeopleVote]

19. Control of the SCOTUS was on the ballot in 2016 as well as the fate of Roe v. Wade and VRA

This asshole does not belong on the SCOTUS. Thank you Susan Sarandon and Jill Stein

[LetMyPeopleVote]

20. Neil Gorsuch lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court 54 votes, not 60

Link to tweet

[onenote]

21. Actually, Gorsuch was quoting one of the defendants

A little misleading by Rachel. Those aren't Gorsuch's words. Those are the words of George T. Rooney, the Commissioner of the Boston Property Management Department, who was one of the defendants in the case.

It shows up, in quotes, multiple times in the petition for certiorari and in the petitioners' brief on the merits.

It was a dumb-ass thing for a Boston City official to say.