– January 17, 2006

Well Done!
Thank U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL.)
for Speaking Out For
“The Separation of Church and State”
During Alito Hearings!

In 18 hours of public hearings over the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for a post on the U.S. Supreme Court, only one Senator had the courage to use what is fast becoming a marginalized, “religiously incorrect” phrase – The Separation of Church and State!

Sen. Durbin chided Alito for his strident views on important issues like personal privacy and civil liberties. Opponents of the Alito nomination touched on a wide range of issues – but only one, Sen. Durbin, explicitly brought up the important role of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. In his opening statement, Sen. Durbin declared:

“Justice O’Connor, the Justice whom you would replace if confirmed, was the fifth and decisive vote to safeguard Americans’ right to privacy; the fifth vote to require our courtrooms to be accessible to the disabled; the fifth vote to allow the federal government to pass laws that protect the environment; the fifth vote to preserve the right of universities to use affirmative action; the fifth vote to ban the execution of children in America. And Justice O’Connor was the fifth vote to uphold the time-honored principle of separation of church and state.”

Mr. Durbin went on to ask Judge Alito: “The real test is this: will you use your power to restrict freedom or expand it? I believe that is the right test, because the Supreme Court is the last refuge of our rights and liberties.”

Please thank Sen. Durbin for courageously speaking out on behalf of the separation of church and state – a “time honored principle”!

Religious Right groups and their allies on Capitol Hill and in the media have been promulgating the view that separation between government and religion “is not mentioned in the Constitution,” or – in the words of the late Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist – amounted to a mere legal fictions. Pat Robertson and other evangelical leaders spread the lie that the First Amendment was designed by the founders of our nation to only prevent government from “oppressing” religion, and was not meant to control religious abuse of political power by the clergy.

We know that’s wrong. And we need to support elected officials who courageously question the limits of ecclesiastical power, and the endorsement of religion by government.

• CONTACT SENATOR DURBIN and thank him for speaking out on behalf of the "time honored principle" of separation of church and state!
• Send us your letters, e-mail and faces. We’ll post them here at the web site.
• READ Sen. Durbin’s opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Judge Samuel Alito
• Spread this action alert!

Letters…

Senator Durbin

I just want to thank you for bringing up our time honored principle, the separation of church and state during the confirmation hearing of Judge Alito. I am sorry to hear though, that you were the only senator to address this point.

I believe Freedom is in that separation. If we, as freedom loving people, would look at the various theocracies in the world perhaps we would realize what importance this principle has on the amount of freedom we enjoy. The Taliban and Ayatollah Khomeini come to mind.

Robert Scott
Huntsville, AL
MSGT USAF (RET)

Thank you Sen. Durbin for your courage in supporting separation of church and state.

Thank you for rejecting Justice William Rhenquist's "mere legal fiction" insensitivity and siding with Justice Hugo Black who concluded, "In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect a 'wall of separation between church and state.'"

Thank you for understanding that The First Amendment does not state establishment of a religion (i.e., state religion) but establishment of religion--in other words any and all religion. Clearly you appreciate that the government is to remain neutral toward religion and is not to be a vehicle for its promotion. Unlike Pat Robertson and other evangelicals you relish the neutrality that has given ALL of us the benefits of living in a pluralistic society.

Please continue to fight to preserve the ideals of the Founding Fathers who envisioned realigion as a matter of personal conscience, and not the will of the majority.

David N. Miles

Dear Senator Durbin

The support of a building are there columns, and you are one of the strongest, your name will last for "we the people" Thanks for your protection.

Jose Zorrilla

Senator Durbin,

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated what you said during the hearings of Judge Alito. Although you spoke about, and questioned nominee Alito on, many issues of great importance to this nation, I was over joyed that you championed an issue of utmost importance to me, this nation's principle of, and our everlasting commitment to, separation of church and state!

I am not much of a sports enthusiast so don't often have the occasion to talk back to the television, but as you spoke, I did just that! I cheered you on loudly, as I am sure many other listeners did as well, and couldn't have been happier that someone would bring this important issue and Judge Alito's decision making history in this area to the forefront of his nomination hearings. You made me extremely proud and our founding fathers would be no less pleased!

Presently, my children are learning about our government in school. The opportunity to hear some of these hearings, and, in particular, your exchange with Judge Alito, was a wonderful gift to them. Thank you for your contribution to this important process and for the courage to address an issue that others have mistakenly shied away from.

Sincerely,

Jason Goldsmith

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