As has now been widely reported, Brian Buescher has been nominated to the US District Court. In the course of confirmation, nominees provide written responses to written questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee.<\/p>\n
Two Democrat Senators, Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), appear to raise concerns about Buescher’s religious beliefs<\/a>:<\/p>\n Hirono asked whether his membership in the Knights of Columbus would prevent him from hearing cases \u201cfairly and impartially\u201d and, if confirmed, whether he would end his membership in the Roman Catholic charitable organization.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Knights of Columbus has taken a number of extreme positions,\u201d Hirono said in the questionnaire. \u201cFor example, it was reportedly one of the top contributors to California\u2019s Proposition 8 campaign to ban same-sex marriage.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Yes, that’s a US Senator un-ironically declaring opposition to same-sex marriage an “extreme position.”<\/p>\n Harris, in her questions to the nominee, called the Knights of Columbus \u201can all-male society\u201d and asked the Nebraska lawyer if he was aware that the group was anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage when he joined. The California senator also referenced Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson\u2019s statement that abortion amounted to \u201cthe killing of the innocent on a massive scale\u201d and asked Buescher if he agreed with the statement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Both Harris and Hirono are taking issues with Catholic religious beliefs. Surely they’re not so ignorant as to not know that.<\/p>\n Representing the Knights of Columbus, Kathleen Blomquist said the questions hearkened back to the days of anti-Catholic sentiment.<\/p>\n \u201cOur country\u2019s sad history of anti-Catholic bigotry contributed to the founding of the Knights of Columbus, and we are proud of the many Catholics who overcame this hurdle to contribute so greatly to our country,\u201d she told the CNA.<\/p>\n Blomquist added: \u201cWe were extremely disappointed to see that one\u2019s commitment to Catholic principles through membership in the Knights of Columbus\u2014a charitable organization that adheres to and promotes Catholic teachings\u2014would be viewed as a disqualifier from public service in this day and age.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Religious freedom is a thing, Senators, as is the “No Religious Test” clause of the US Constitution.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, because this apparent bigotry is aimed toward Christian<\/em> beliefs, it will not be criticized or disavowed as it would have been had Buescher been Jewish or homosexual. In America, it is politically and socially acceptable to attack Christian religious beliefs.<\/p>\n That’s the state of American society. True, it is only two Senators (in this conversation, though others have spoken up<\/a> against Christian beliefs in the recent past<\/a>). That this can be said in a public forum and not be roundly condemned is a sad commentary on the direction religious freedom is going in the United States.<\/p>\n While anti-Christian groups might be smirking that bigotry is all but sanctioned against Christians, they might remember: First, they came for the Christians…<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
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