Catalog

Should a political candidate's religious beliefs be regarded as an important factor in political races? If we allow religion to be used as a campaign strategy, what will be the effect? If the American people elect a president because of his religious ideals, what will happen to the doctrine of separation of church and state? Whether we like it or not, there has been a rising trend among politicians to use their religious affiliation as a means of attracting voters. This strategy has been implemented in response to the expanding political clout of a group we shall call the "Christian Supremacy." The group's large numbers and extremely narrow focus on religion has altered the way some politicians campaign, in part because gaining the support of the Christian Supremacy can help procure a large amount of votes and possibly secure an election. But what are the potential repercussions of allowing this faction to continue to shape the political landscape?

Stephen Newman, in From John F. Kennedy’s 1960 Campaign Speech to Christian Supremacy: Religion in Modern Presidential Politics, paints a grim picture of the current state of religious affairs. Through a sampling of the Christian Supremacy’s attempts to eliminate the doctrine of separation of church and state, Newman highlights the real harms that could result from an overemphasis on religion in political campaigns. His article highlights the relentless and dangerous religious attacks on citizens who strive to preserve the separation of church and state, a fundamental pillar of our democracy.

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Case Comment / Note Corner

In re Ottinger v. Non-Party the Journal News

Extracted from a case comment by Daniel Haier

Are anonymous postings to an online blog above the law? Regular Internet surfers are familiar with the scathing and profanity-laced comments on blogs and message boards which break every rule of common decency, not to mention grammar. The offenders hide their identities beyond little more than a screen name, or the ubiquitous, “guest.” But what about when those anonymous comments also break the law? Can plaintiffs who are injured by anonymous defamation convince a judge to order a web site to disclose the poster’s identity? In Ottinger v. Non-Party the Journal News, the answer was yes. The decision has important implications for how future courts will balance the First Amendment rights of anonymous posters with the rights of defamation plaintiffs seeking adequate redress.