Internet Campaign to Defend Roberts’ Religious Faith in Hearings

On Friday, Catholic based advocacy group Fidelis issued the following press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2005

Internet Campaign to Defend Roberts’ Religious Faith in Hearings
Ads Cite Harkin Anti-Religious Bigotry during Air America Interview with Randi Rhodes

WASHINGTON — The Catholic based advocacy group Fidelis has launched the first phase of an internet advertising campaign to prevent anti-religious bigotry in the confirmation hearings of Judge John Roberts. The campaign which cites examples of anti-religious comments made by Democratic leaders Howard Dean, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) was launched on the websites of National Review Online and Catholic Exchange will expand to other websites and blogs over the coming week.

Since President Bush nominated Judge Roberts to serve on the Supreme Court, both he and his wife have been subjected to harsh attacks and offensive questioning about their religious beliefs by the media, liberal groups, and even some members of the United States Senate.

“We warned the public that anti-religious bigotry would enter the confirmation process just as it has in the past. Less than twenty four hours after Judge Roberts’ nomination, we began seeing these mean-spirited attacks surface, and we expect there is more to come,” said Fidelis President Joseph Cella.

During an interview with Randi Rhodes on her Air America radio show on June 8, 2005, Harkin described Christian Broadcasters as follows: “They are sort of our own home grown Taliban….if you don’t tune into their line, then you’re obviously on Satan’s line.”

Cella added: “By shining a bright light on these outrageously intolerant remarks, particularly those of Senator Harkin, we hope to put an end to them or at least deter others from embracing them during the confirmation of Judge John Roberts.”

Roberts has faced inquiries about his ‘personal views’ and hypothetical questions involving his religious faith which he holds dearly. Article VI, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution prohibits such religious tests saying: “[B]ut no religious test shall ever be required a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”

“It is critical that those members of the U.S. Senate that have demonstrated hostility toward conservative Christians in the past not allow their prejudices to affect the upcoming confirmation hearings. When a judicial nominee is subjected to bigoted and irrelevant questions about their faith, it is not only unconstitutional, it is an insult to all people of faith. Utilizing the internet component of our advertising campaign, we hope to make it clear that the upcoming confirmation hearings must be free of all questions related to Judge Roberts’ religious or personal beliefs,” stated Cella.

Cella said: “If Senator Harkin believes Christian Broadcasters represent “our own home grown Taliban,” what are we to assume he believes about Judge John Roberts who is a faithful Catholic? We hope Senator Harkin can find a way to set aside his anti-religious bigotry and fulfill his Constitutional obligation as a United States Senator.”

“Senator Harkin will be home in Iowa over the next few weeks on recess, so people across the Hawkeye State should tell the Senator to apologize for his bigoted remark against Christian broadcasters, and tell him not to subject Judge Roberts to the same treatment,” Cella concluded.

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Fidelis is a Catholic-based organization working with people of faith across the country to defend and promote the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and the right to religious liberty by electing pro-life, pro-family, and pro-religious liberty candidates, supporting the confirmation of judges, and promoting and defending laws faithful to the Constitution of the United States.