Monday, October 03, 2005

New Supreme Court Nominee-- Any Clues On Her 1st Amendment Religion Clause Views?

Today President Bush announced his intent to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to fill Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Little is known about her views on many legal issues, including church-state questions. The President's announcement included the fact that among the community organizations in Texas with which she was involved was Exodus Ministries. That group, part of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, is described as follows on its website:
Exodus is both a challenging and gratifying ministry that seeks to encourage ex-offenders, to reunite them with their families, and to empower them to become self-sustaining, productive, Christ-centered members of society. Individuals are needed to help in the Exodus offices to serve as Bible Study leaders, computer instructors, and tutors/mentors. Professional experts, such as doctors, dentists and lawyers, are welcome at Exodus to help with both guidance and more immediate needs.
Interestingly, also in listing the community groups in which Miers was involved, the President referred to the full name of one, the Young Women's Christian Association, even though nationally the organization formally calls itself the "YWCA".