August 2003 Archives

The following open letter was sent to the trio making waves for their attacks on Chief Justice Moore.

Dear Friends,

The only reason the Ten Commandments Controversy has finally risen to the top of our nation’s collective attention is because one lonely courageous man, Judge Roy Moore, was willing to risk everything — his professional career, his social reputation, his standing in the Church community, and his acceptance everywhere else — to force the rest of us to THINK!

If there ever was a time in history when so many people knew the truth — but didn’t have the courage to actually DO anything about it, the question of Federal Judicial Tyranny is it.

Judge Roy Moore was the only one to finally speak up and say: “The King Has No Clothes.”

Everyone has had an opinion — but only Judge Roy Moore was willing to rise to the challenge of “testing” the limits of how far the Federal Court can go in making law out of whole cloth without any constitutional right to do so. Thank you, Judge Roy Moore, for being that man.

Now, I pray each one I’m sending this to will read it. And then please respond to let me know what YOU think. It Is Important!

Richard Land , Marvin Olasky & Jay Sekulow have been publicly critical of Judge Moore’s handling of this matter. I don’t know why they spoke out the way they did right in the middle of the battle — but they did. Therefore I
have exercised my right to take issue with them in a like manner.

This was forwarded to me by a member of my staff. I now pass it on to you for your consideration.

Dick Bott, President
Bott Radio Network

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 30, 2003 | Permalink

Vision Forum is pleased to announce that the 2003 Vision Forum Ministries “Faith and Freedom Tour” to New England filled all of the available 150-plus spots within 72 hours of our email announcement.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 29, 2003 | Permalink

Dearest Friends of Vision Forum Ministries:

Today we launched a special website dedicated to explaining the lawfulness of Justice Moore’s actions, and the necessity that this generation rise to affirmatively answer the question: May the state acknowledge God?

We are on the verge of a great movement of God. You and your children must learn to articulate the doctrines of freedom.

The doctrine of interposition is one of the bedrocks of American freedom. Today, most lawyers are unaware of its existence, although it was in large part one of the bases for the Declaration of Independence.

To learn about interposition, please visit www.visionforum.org today. Please read the article by John Eidsmoe, Alan Keyes, Howard Phillips, and the testimony of Dr. Dobson.

Blessings,
Doug

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 29, 2003 | Permalink

We are pleased to report that Chief Justice Roy Moore was able to return to his office in the Supreme Court building for the first time since he received notice of his suspension.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 29, 2003 | Permalink

The attorneys at the Federalist Society have proven faithful to their principles, by articulating the constitutional case for Chief Justice Roy Moore’s lawful resistance to Judge Myron Thompson orders. They have correctly criticized Bill Pryor for acting contrary to law, not consistent with it. Here is a quote from their publication:

Justice Moore, in his defiance of the federal courts, wrote, “Under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, federal courts have absolutely no power, authority or jurisdiction [in this case].” He is, correctly in our opinion, arguing that he cannot be in disobedience of a judicial order where there is no jurisdiction. Thus, his actions do not rise even to the level of civil disobedience — just defiance of an unlawful ruling. Of course, this distinction is predicated on respect for the rule of law under our Constitution, not the rule of judges, or what Thomas Jefferson characterized as “the Despotic branch.” Justice Moore is currently suspended for his defiance and faces ethics charges before the seven-member Court of the Judiciary....

So what’s next? A new appeal to the Supreme Court is in the works, while Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, Attorney General Bill Pryor and the eight Associate Justices are busy trying to convince the people of Alabama that they support the Ten Commandments but were bound to obey the rule of law. “Because we are a society of laws, the Alabama Supreme Court has a duty to comply with the federal court order, whether they agree with it or not,” said Riley. Indeed, they do — unless the order is unlawful. Riley did not say how far from the “rule of law” they are willing to let judicial activists stray before adhering to Alabama’s state motto, “We Dare Defend our Rights.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 29, 2003 | Permalink

Tonight Alan Keyes gave on the foot of the Alabama Supreme Court building what some are describing as his most brilliant and passionate speech to date. I am particularly encouraged by some very personal remarks by Ambassador Keyes to the crowd in which he indicated that for one year he had been soul searching for clear direction for his life work, and that it was now obvious that the defining issue of our generation would be the right of the people to acknowledge God free from the tyrannical usurpations by unelected officials.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

When I spoke with the Chief Justice earlier today, his spirits were enthusiastic and his vision and strategy clear. He now prepares for the next two battles before him——his suspension trial, and his Petition for Writ of Certiorari before the United States Supreme Court. Please remember him in prayer.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

According to sources within the Alabama Supreme Court building, Attorney General Bill Pryor blocked a visit by Dr. James Dobson to view the monument.

Pryor, who was nominated by George Bush for the 11th Circuit federal judgeship, has aggressively opposed the Chief Justice Roy Moore, and mounted a media campaign to justify his actions. Pryor has chosen to personally prosecute the Chief Justice in his suspension trial.

Although he is presently getting a free ride in the media, it is expected that Pryor who has become the hero of the Far Left, will meet with strong opposition when he is brought up for a vote on his nomination for a federal judgeship.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

The following excerpt is from Don Hodel’s (President of Focus on the family) outstanding editorial today:

”...Some Christians are saying he [Chief Justice Moore] chose the wrong strategy. No, he chose the right strategy. Enough is enough.

Even those who do not acknowledge the God of Scripture ought not to want to do away with those good things by the ultimate destruction of its foundation. This is why we believe the battle must be joined whatever the cost. This is why we are asking those who share our belief that the time is now to join with us as never before.
We welcome your support and encouragement, but even more so we covet your prayers.”

To read the entire article go to http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0027511.cfm

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

Dear Friends,

God is in control of all events. Law will not save us. But God has chosen to work through faithful human agents who dare to stand in the public arena at key moments in history as the individuals responsible for securing our liberty. Despite a growing tide of wickedness in our land, we continue to enjoy unparalleled freedom. I believe that there are two reasons for the current perpetuation of the daily liberties we yet enjoy. The first is described in Isaiah 1, where God declares that He preserves nations because of the faithfulness of small remnants; and the second reason is because He remembers the faithfulness of those fathers who stood with him in the past.

For the first time in our nation’s history a fundamental question has been asked to the people of our nation and broadcast daily to millions of people. In many respects, this is the most fundamental of all civil questions: May the state acknowledge God? If we answer this question wrongly, we lose our civilization.

Along the way, God has raised up Daniels and Gideons and Elijahs and Moseses and Davids to fight our battles and lead our people against the enemy hordes. If you value such men, you must express your appreciation for their work. In so doing you make an eternal investment not only in the future of America, but in your children.

Today I urge you to stand with those men who have placed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honors on the line for us. We must reward heroism. We must say ” thank you.” Please send a note of appreciation and a financial donation to the men who have stood alone. Here they are:

Chief Justice Moore’s Legal Defense Team: Morallaw.org
Dr. James Dobson: Focus on the Family
Dr. Rick Scarborough: Vision America
Dr. Alan Keyes: Declaration.net
Flip Benham: Operation Save America
Howard Phillips: The Conservative Caucus
Dr. D. James Kennedy: Coral Ridge Ministries

Of course, there are others. I do not mean to leave any out. These are men with whom I have interacted and have watched with gratitude, their heroic actions.

Your Friend,
Doug

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

Kudos to Democratic Ronnie Musgrove, Governor of Mississippi, for extending to Chief Justice Roy Moore the offer to display the monument in the Mississippi State Capitol. This is a gracious and heroic offer. In the opinion of this writer, the monument should stay in Alabama, at least while there yet remains the possibility for the vindication of the Chief Justice before the Supreme Court.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

As I write this blog Dr. James Dobson is addressing a crowd of several thousand in front of the Supreme Court Building of Alabama. Joining Dr. Dobson in the sweltering Alabama heat is Ambassador Alan Keyes. This is the hottest day since the fight began, but that is not stopping Dr. Dobson from sharing a passionate message and leading the crowd of 5,000 in a recitation of the First Amendment.

One leader in the audience shared with me that Dr. Dobson told the crowd: “I don’t know Judge Thompson [the judge who declared that God should be banished from the public sector], and I don’t want to know Judge Thompson.”

Dear friends, let James Dobson know that you are proud of him and support him. Send him a letter of encouragement and specifically mention your appreciation for his defense of the Chief Justice. We must reward integrity and honor: Remember him in your monthly financial offerings to the Lord.

At 1:15 there is a local area pastor’s lunch with Dr. Dobson. Please pray that the clergy will wake up and stand on the Lord’s side in this historic battle.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

Appearing on Chris Matthews Hardball, Roy Moore attorney Herb Titus used the plain text of the Constitution to convince host Matthews that a monument does not constitute an establishment of religion.

Titus, a former ACLU attorney converted to Christ and later responsible for the development of a distinctively Christian law program at Regent University, held the feet of fellow guest and President of Americans United For Separation of Church and State, Barry Lynn, to the fire for falsely claiming that judges make law.

Quoting from Monday’s article by the Chief Justice which appeared in the Wall Street Journal, host Chris Matthews asked Barry Lynn for his response to the fact that the Alabama Constitution begins with an acknowledgement of God as the foundation of the judicial system. Lynn dodged the question and instead raised a straw man about the Chief Justice receiving private revelation from God.

The broadcast demonstrated the weakness of the opposition’s position which is primarily based on bluff and bluster about American history. Ultimately, they must concede that our institutions and documents are laced with references to much more than a deistic entity, but to the Almighty of Holy Scriptures.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 28, 2003 | Permalink

“The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the
federal head, is repugnant to every rule of political calculation.” —Alexander Hamilton

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

Many thanks to steadfast radio host Carl Wigglesworth who has featured me on an almost daily basis on his KTSA radio show for the last week or so.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

In his brilliant article on the doctrine of interposition (featured on the visionforum.org website, Dr. John Eidsmoe concludes with the following call to action:

During the American War for Independence, America’s clergy led the way for their people to become involved. In Boston the “Father of the American Revolution,” Sam Adams, proclaimed independence, and he was echoed by the “Black Regiment,” the black-robed New England clergy who preached independence in pulpits throughout New England. Throughout the colonies, clergy of many faiths called upon their parishioners to answer their country’s call.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

With Thanksgiving to God Almighty for the precious gift of fatherhood and life, I bless Him who is above all for my son Howard Honor Phillips who turned two years of age yesterday. Honor is a source of tremendous joy in our life. He is joyful, thoughtful, and has big, fat squeezable legs. May God raise him up as a warrior for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

If it is physically possible for you to travel to Montomery, and stand with Dr. James Dobson and Alan Keyes as they address a rally in front of the Supreme Court of Alabama tomorow at noon—-please do so. The issue: “May the state acknowledge God?” is as foundational as any issue before our nation. Stand and be counted.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

Well, it is official. Jay Sekulow is taking off the gloves and launching full blast attacks against Chief Justice Moore. So is Pat Robertson. In the wake of growing criticisms of them by key leaders like Dr. James Dobson for their open attacks on the Chief Justice, these men have decided to use their bully pulpits to bully the judge and add fuel to the flames of those who are persecuting this man of God. Both Robertson and Sekulow made strong statements against the Chief Justice today on national television.

In fact, left-wing radio and television host Colmes (of Hannity and Colmes) began his interview with James Dobson on national television tonight gloating about the rift in the Christian community and the foolishness of Judge Moore as evidenced by the statements of Richard Land and Pat Robertson, the latter of which Colmes claimed had said the “Chief Justice was in contempt of court.”

The most bizzare aspect of the whole thing is that Jay Sekulow and Richard Land have expressed concern to some of their own critics that they are being criticized for criticizing the Chief Justice. I find this incomprehensible: It is o.k. to attack a man of God as he is tried in the fire of public and judicial opinion, and to knowingly contribute to the burden he must carry, but it is not o.k. for others to criticize the criticizers?

For a heroic article by Joe Farah of worldnetdaily.com called “Gutless Wonders,” please go to: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34292.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

Below is a sampling of the hundreds of emails that are pouring into our office:

Thank you for publishing the brilliant essay by Ambassador Keyes. It ranks up there with the Federalist Papers! It was diminished only by that reference to dissolving the Union. That may have been the big concern of the nineteenth century, but of course, the concern today is whether we will lose too much liberty to the central government.

I just wanted to pass along a word of encouragement to you, Doug and to Judge Moore. In addition to my other vocations, I also had the privilege to serve the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Magistrate for 12 years. Due to this experience I am able, in a small way, to sympathize with what Judge Moore is facing. Many judicial officers throughout the United States are often left with the choice of following the orders of a judge, or risking contempt charges and following the law. The pressure is tremendous, especially when one has family and financial obligations. Judge Moore is a beacon of courage and so are you folks at VF for holding him up during this time - keep up the good work and we will continue to pray for you all. God bless you.

Thank you for your frequent updates on the situation concerning Judge Moore and the 10 Commandments. I took my 2 oldest sons with me to the August 16th rally in Montgomery. It was awesome. Truly we are seeing History in the making. Thanks again for your help with the flow of information.

Just finished reading the brilliant constitutional defense by Alan Keyes on the 10 Commandments issue and the broader aspects of the establishment of religion issue, states rights, and the federal judiciary run amok. Thanks for printing this. My prayers are with you, Mr. Keyes, and Judge Roy Moore.

I think judge Roy Moore may be the best possible candidate for President and would like someone with some pull to suggest it to him. Thank You.

Hi, Doug, This 70-year-old lady from Virginia wants to say a hearty “THANK YOU!” for the coverage you have given this issue. If I wasn’t tied down taking care of my 96-year-old mother who cannot be left alone, I’d LOVE to be in Birmingham with all of the people you are writing about. I have always admired your father, and loved NET-TV when we lived for a year in the DC area and your dad’s program in the evening was my favorite program. I am delighted to hear that the man who writes us about Vision Forum, and from whom I bought 6 sets of the books and CDs you advertised before Father’s Day (for my grandchildren who are still raising children, and my husband, who loves them all), is Howard Phillip’s son. What a tremendous job you are doing, following in the footsteps of your famous father! We have followed Judge Moore’s firm support of the Ten Commandments for years, and just wish we could have sent him more to help him with his defense.

I am disappointed in Marvin Olasky and Jay Sekulow and Pat Robertson - I have subscribed to WORLD for years and love it. I wonder how Bob Jones IV feels about Judge Moore - I cannot feel that he agrees with Olasky. Keep up the good work. I have spent my entire day copying out your many articles about Judge Moore, and the other items from your journal - all 37 pages of it! and several other articles you have sent the last few weeks. I am just now back on-line after my old computer quit on me, and I now have a new one - downloaded 127 emails as soon as I came back on-line! Our prayers and best wishes are with you, now and in the future.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

From the family.org website: Dr. Dobson is scheduled to appear on FOX New’s Channel’s Hannity & Colmes Wednesday, Aug. 27. Their discussion will focus on Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and the controversy surrounding the Ten Commandments monument in the Alabama judicial center. Please keep Dr. Dobson in your prayers as he articulates the grave threat posed to religious freedom by activist federal judges.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

Just after 10:00 am today, the Ten Commandments monument was removed.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 27, 2003 | Permalink

Less than a week after Marvin Olasky’s disappointing appearance on the 700 Club in which he criticized Chief Justice Roy Moore before the hundreds of thousands of television viewers, he has authored the feature story for World Magazine which, though carefully worded, once again advances a position of equivocation. Brother Olasky writes: “Christian activists, for their part, should not rush either to support or scorn [Judge Moore], but should think through whether this is the issue on which they want to concentrate their attention.”

Jesus said that those who were not for him are against him. The same principle applies here. Having himself criticized the Chief Justice, Brother Olasky now appears to be telling Christians to sit this one out and remain neutral. As a faithful advertiser in World Magazine for six years, I have to say that none of this sits well with me. I am sure it does not sit well with World Magazine readers. If you appreciate World Magazine as much as I do, please register your concern with the magazine’s editorial staff.

Please also call your favorite Christian legal or political organization to determine whether they are standing with the Chief Justice or just sitting on the fence.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Dick Bott of the Bott Radio Network proved once again that he is a man more interested in truth and integrity than either “peace at all costs” or the almighty dollar. This week on his radio broadcast , Mr. Bott correctly criticized both Jay Sekulow of the ACLJ, and Richard Land of the SBC (both men whose shows are broadcast through the Bott Radio Network) for their public attacks against Chief Justice Roy Moore. By standing with Attorney General Pryor and the entire legal Left in opposition to the Chief Justice’s lawful act of interposition, Sekulow, Land and others like Pat Robertson have actually given aid and comfort to the enemy during the defining constitutional battle of the century. Dick Bott joins Dr. James Dobson and others who are registering their polite, but emphatic disapproval for those who even unwittingly are facilitating the persecution of America’s most godly supreme court justice.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Interposition: The doctrine that a state, in the exercise of its sovereignty, may reject a mandate of the federal government deemed to be unconstitutional or to exceed the powers delegated to the federal government.

Implementation of the doctrine may be peaceable, as by resolution, remonstrance or legislation, or may proceed ultimately to nullification with forcible resistance.

To read more on the doctrine of Interposition, check Visionforum.org tomorow for our posting of a brilliant article by Constitutional scholar, Dr. John Eidsmoe, Esq.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

That Chief Justice Roy Moore is a remarkable man is obvious to everyone who has met him, even his critics. In an article published in National Review, one such critic observed:

But he has this trick, a freak of memorization ability, that allows him to recite huge passages from memory. I’d raise an issue, and he’d respond with about 800 words of direct quotation from some obscure writing of James Madison. Another question would bring an equally long citation from the Bible or from an opinion by a federal district judge in Mobile. When asked for a copy of whatever document he was quoting from, he would quickly find it in one of the many books in his office, buzz his secretary, and ask her to Xerox it. The copy invariably proved his memory unerring.

In point of fact, Moore does not have a photographic memory, it is just that he works very hard to memorize those words and documents which are essential to the cause of liberty. It is 95% perspiration.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

One of the greatest preachers and defenders of truth in America today is Dr. Joe Morecraft, a pastor from Georgia. Both Dr. Morecraft and Chief Justice Moore have participated for several years as faculty for Vision Forum Ministry’s Witherspoon School of Law and Public Policy. Dr. Morecraft travelled to Alabama this week to stand with the Chief Justice. Yesterday, as the Chief Justice was effectively barred from his office, Dr. Morecraft spent the day with him and reports that it was utterly inspirational to watch the Chief Justice drawing strength from the Word of God even as he stood in the fiery furnace of public persecution.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Vision Forum has learned today that the moving company originally hired to move the 5300 pound granite Ten Commandments monument was approached by representatives of the dissenting supreme court justices to move the monument, but that they declined to do so for personal and professional reasons.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

I spoke for twenty minutes with a determined and clear thinking Chief Justice Roy Moore late yesterday. I can report to my friends and those who frequent “Doug’s Blog,” that my staff and I have never met a man with such indefatigueable courage, yet with greater personal humility before the Lord. We agreed that Monday may have been a turning point in the battle because: (1) The issue was finally framed for the Christian community and the battle lines drawn through the heroic broadcast of James Dobson; and (2) The actions of his adversiaries had become so overreaching that “though they meant it for evil, God would use it for good.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

This from Newsmax.com...”In an exclusive interview with NewsMax.com, Dr. David Lowenthal, emeritus professor of political Science at Boston College, said the Founding Fathers would be appalled at the federal court order for the removal of the Ten Commandments monument... ‘I would not want to go to jail,’ he said, ‘but if I had to, I wouldn’t give up on the principle’ that Justice Moore is defending ‘that cuts across all lines that [concern] first of all, states’ rights, and ... the proper interpretation of the First Amendment.’... To compare Moore’s refusal to bow to the atheist/left-wing/ACLU axis with George Wallace’s standing in the schoolhouse door to preserve segregation in 1962 is ludicrous, declares Lowenthal, author of the new book “Present Dangers: Rediscovering the First Amendment...As for the decision by Moore’s colleagues on the Alabama Supreme Court to oppose him: ‘It seems to me that any state worth its salt would not submit to this kind of thing.’”

To read the entire article go to http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/8/22/141443.shtml.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Chief Justice Roy Moore has been driven from his office, notwithstanding words to the contrary coming from the office of Senior Associate Justice, Garland Harland. Following a national press conference in which a former Alabama Supreme Court ustice and election opponant of Attorney Genereal Bill Pryor, called Justice Houston on the carpet for the unethical treatment of the Chief Justice, Houston fired back with a carefully worded press release refusing to take responsibility and describing the accusations as “immoral.”

Others close to the situation are calling judge Houston’s response “dishonest,” and “bait and switch,” noting that the fact remains that the Chief Justice is unable to return to his own office, and that his staff has been told they are working at the discretion of Justice Houston. One thing is clear, at this point, the gloves have been taken off, and the tactics against Chief Justice Moore have become personal and dirty.

Moore and his staff are officing at an undisclosed location away from the Supreme Court building.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 26, 2003 | Permalink

Today James Dobson distinguished himself as one of the greatest defenders of freedom in our nation. His historic broadcast demonstrating support for Chief Justice Moore and openly criticizing by name those Christian attorneys and spokesmen who have opposed the Chief Justice, was timely, necessary and utterly heroic. Moreover, it was the turning point in this battle. By clearly articulating the significance of the case, and breaking through the shadow of strategic and worldview compromise which has been crippling the Christian community and many of its legal eagles, Dobson has help to separate the sheep from the goats and raise the battle standard necessary to rally the troops. This broadcast was gutsy, visionary and spot on. James Dobson is a hero!

Other heroes include Don Hodel (#2 man at Focus on the family) who appeared on the broacdast; Alan Keyes; who has brilliantly defended the legality of the Justice’s actions; D. James Kennedy; Rick Scarborough; Howard Phillips; John Eidsmoe; Herb Titus; Jerry Falwell; Chuck Baldwin; and many others. Tremendous kudos to Sean Hannity of Hannity and Colmes. Thanks also to Alan Sears of the Alliance Defense Fund, for demonstrating his support of the Chief Justice through his website. True to his record of fidelity to freedom, Dr. George Grant has registered his support with the Chief Justice through his blog.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 25, 2003 | Permalink

The following excerpts are from today’s edition of the Focus on the Family broadcast, arguably one of the most important and powerful broadcasts in the history of the radio ministry. Dr. Dobson begins by explaining that this is the first time he has ever recorded on the Sabbath, but he has done because of the urgency and priority of the message and to clarify for the American people the real issues in the Chief Justice Roy Moore case. This is necessary, he argues, because of the tremendous confusion being created by well-intentioned, but wrong-thinking Christians (like Jay Sekulow, Richard Land, Marvin Olasky and Pat Robertson) who are actually giving aid and comfort to the enemies of freedom by actively opposing Chief Justice Moore. You simply must listen to the actual broadcast on-line by visiting the Focus on the Family web site. In the meantime, we have transcripted a few choice segments from today’s broadcast.

Dr. Dobson
“We are recording these comments late Sunday afternoon, which our listeners will hear, of course, on Monday. This is, I believe, the only program I have every prepared on the Sabbath—-I don’t remember another one.

The reason we are doing it today is that——even though we honor the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship—-in this case the news story that we are going to be covering is changing so rapidly that we would have been giving old information—-or misinformation—-if we hadn’t come in the studio this afternoon for an update.”

Dr. Dobson
“There is so much at stake. Don, you and I discussed this situation yesterday, and we decided that we absolutely had to let people know what hangs in balance here, ‘Why is this issue so important?’”

Don Hodel
“Well, that’s right, and as you have said, it has not been reported accurately in the media, and I think many Christian people who have stood with Judge Moore on this issue concerning the Ten Commandments for years are now confused about its meaning.”

Dr. Dobson
“Some of our conservative friends, those with whom we are usually in agreement on things, such as Jay Sekulow and Richard Land, both of whom are great friends of mine, are calling Judge Moore’s unwillingness to obey a federal judicial order ‘an outrage’ and ‘the wrong thing to do.’ One of them said that he was ‘dismayed’ by it. And we disagree strongly, and we want to explain why on our program today.”

Chief Justice Moore
[Quoting Justice Curtis’ dissent in the Dred Scott case] “That when a strict interpretation of the Constitution according to the fixed rules which govern the interpretation of laws is abandoned, and the theoretical opinions of individuals are allowed to control its meaning, we have no longer a Constitution. We are under a government of individuals who, for the time being have the power to declare what the Constitution is according to their own view of what they think it ought to mean’ and that’s what we’re doing—-we’re not following the rule of law here. There’s no law at all.

If I could make one point: the issue is, “Can the state acknowledge God?” And many well-thinking Christians think that they’ve got to follow the Federal Government who says ‘no’ when the Constitution and every bit of our history says otherwise.”

Don Hodel
“But Alan, the problem we’ve got—-and you know this better than most—-is that usurpation which began forty or so years ago has been so embedded in the thinking today that we’ve got a bunch of good, solid, right-thinking Christian-based attorneys who themselves are saying, “Well, gee, this is the law of the land.”

Dr. Dobson
“Out great concern…is that this is really part of a larger plan to eliminate every vestige of faith or religion or reverence for God from the public square. That’s where this is headed; and if we don’t stop it here, they are going to have to sandblast half the buildings in Washington.”

Chief Justice Moore
“Christians who go before courts and pretend to try to win and first deny the Sovereignty of God have lost the battle already, and they are playing in a game that they cannot win.”

Dr. Dobson
“I think [Richard Land] is making a mistake here. And he’s quoted in BP News, ‘However much sympathy I may have for Judge Moore’s belief and convictions and the Ten Commandments, and the role they played is Western Civilization and American Jurisprudence, I am dismayed at the prospect of a judge defying a court order,’ said Land, President of Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. ‘One of foundational principles of American Law is that we believe in the rule of law...”
[With passion in his voice]...I wonder if Dr. Land and Jay Sekulow are supportive of the American Revolution where we rebelled against the British tyranny?”

Dr. Dobson
“[This] burns within me. I can’t tell how strongly I feel about what we are talking about here. We are at a turning point, a pivotal point in the history of this country. This is not just another issue.”

Don Hodel
“Unless people are willing to stand up and be counted, what we have got is the perfect usurpation by the courts of our rights as citizens. And they are writing laws now—-they have got our good Christian friends persuaded that the law of the land requires ‘separation of church and state.’

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 25, 2003 | Permalink

By Dr. D. James Kennedy

When Roy Moore ran for chief justice of Alabama the centerpiece of his campaign was a pledge to restore the moral foundation of law — to display the Ten Commandments. After the voters overwhelmingly elected him to office, he kept his commitment. He installed a granite monument to the moral foundation of law — one that depicts the Ten Commandments and, on its sides, documentary evidence for the acknowledgement of God in American history.

But federal judge Myron Thompson, aided by some state officials, is about to overturn the will of the voters by removing the monument. This is a flagrant violation of their rights! The U.S. Constitution begins, “We, the people.” But now, the principle that here, the people rule, is dismissed without a murmur from state officials who equate a judge’s opinion with the rule of law.

You would think they would know Alabama history better. Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote in 1963 in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail, that “A just law is man-made code that squares with the moral law of God. Unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.” That distinction is lost on those members of the Alabama legal establishment who have announced that, as Attorney General Bill Pryor put it, “My responsibility is to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and I will be doing my duty.”

But how can he uphold the rule of law when he acts to gut its foundation — the recognition that man’s laws must conform “to the laws of nature and of nature’s God?” Let’s not forget that this country was founded when some very brave state officials gathered together to defy the “rule of law” of King George III. The Founders said his “rule of law” was aimed at “absolute tyranny” over the states. So they acted in a fashion consistent with a long Western legal tradition that dates at least to St. Augustine, who said, “An unjust law is no law at all.”

After all, if law is only what men say it is, our freedoms are very much at risk, as the gruesome record of communist rule in Russia, Vietnam, North Korea, and, of course, Cuba, so amply testify. But when, as in America at its founding, the state recognizes a higher law — the “laws of nature and of nature’s God” — liberty endures, as our own history powerfully demonstrates.

It is certainly true that the edicts of federal courts — indeed all courts — must be obeyed. But, in the exceptional instance where a court usurps the will of the people and acts in a manner intended to destroy the foundation on which our freedom rests, it is the right, indeed the duty, of elected officials to call that act what it is, tyranny, and to refuse to obey.

Let us also bear in mind that the rule of law, as some term it, has given us federal court decisions that told us a man has the right to own another man (1857), and more recently, that killing unborn children is a constitutional liberty (1973), that state laws against sodomy are constitutional (1986), and, even more recently, that state laws against sodomy are unconstitutional (2003). This is the rule of law? This underscores why we as a nation must return to the recognition of Almighty God and His law. The almighty court and its law are leading our nation rapidly to ruin.

The core question to be resolved in this case is, as Judge Myron Thompson put it, “Can the state acknowledge God?” He answered, “no,” as did the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Now, the people of Alabama, particularly its elected officials, must decide whether, more than 225 years after this nation was founded, they will cravenly submit as the foundation of freedom is taken from them — and from all of us in this nation.

For the last forty years or so, federal courts have eroded and almost eliminated the right to acknowledge God. They have progressively removed the principle that is at the foundation of our freedom. We may be at a final watershed. If we, as a nation, fully and finally dismiss God from public life — watch out. When we remove the source of our liberties, our freedoms cannot but soon follow.

An edited version of this statement from Dr. Kennedy appeared in today’s edition of the Birmingham News. Dr. D. James Kennedy is Senior Minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and President of Coral Ridge Ministries, a Christian broadcast ministry that has assisted in funding the legal defense of Chief Justice Roy Moore.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 22, 2003 | Permalink

At 1:15 p.m. (CDT), I will be appearing on Point of View Radio Talk Show with Marlin Maddoux to discuss Chief Justice Moore and the Ten Commandments case.

Today’s hosts, filling in for Marlin, will be Penna Dexter and Cathy Adams.

To hear the program live via the Internet, click here.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 22, 2003 | Permalink

Last Saturday, thousands gathered in support of the Ten Commandments.

At the time of this blog release, it is about 10:45 a.m. in Alabama. At this moment, the Judicial Inquiry Committee is meeting to determine the fate of Chief Justice Roy Moore. They are considering holding him in contempt and suspending him from office. Please pray that God will move on their hearts to honor the Chief Justice, and not to attack him.

For those of you who desire to place calls in support of Chief Justice Moore, these are the numbers to call:

Judicial Inquiry Commission: (334) 242-4089

Commission Members

Hon. Randall Cole, Chairman: (256) 845-8540
Hon. George Carpenter: (256) 386-8524
Hon. Craig Pittman: (334) 242-4095
Lee Portis: (251) 452-2500
David Scott: (334) 745-0828
Dr. Greg Sullivan: (205) 815-5000
Norman Waldrop: (251) 405-1322
Mark White: (205) 323-1888

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 22, 2003 | Permalink

Freedom-loving Christians who saw the press conference by Alabama’s Chief Justice recognized the remarkable gift God has given to America in the person of Roy Moore. It was my privilege to speak with the Chief Justice twice on the phone today. I am pleased to report that, notwithstanding the fact that he (and the citizens of Alabama) were betrayed by the actions of the Attorney General and the Governor, his spirit is resolute and his heart is fixed on Christ.

1. In their effort to discredit the Chief Justice, Attorney General Bill Pryor, the press, and now the Governor of Alabama have attempted to describe Roy Moore as a law breaker. Moore has correctly argued that the issue is not politics or a monument. The issue stated by both he and the judge who ruled against him is this: “Can the state acknowledge God?” Moore has pointed out that, under Article VI of the Constitution, the “rule of law” is the Constitution, not the opinion of a judge; that the Alabama Constitution explicitly roots the judicial system in the laws of God and requires the judges of the state to acknowledge such; and that for him to enforce the unlawful order of Judge Myron Thompson would be to violate his oath of office.

2. At the urging of Pryor, the justices met to vote to remove the monument. They waited for the Chief Justice to be out of town and then voted to have the monument shrouded and walled. While en route to his wife’s grandmother’s funeral, the Chief Justice learned of the plot, turned back to the Supreme Court building, spoke to one of the justices, and demanded that the covering on the monument be lifted. It was subsequently lifted.

3. Thousands gathered in front of the Alabama State Judicial Building to express their support for the Chief Justice and belief that God should not be removed from the public square. His 2:30 p.m. press conference was covered on all national news channels.

4. Chief Justice Moore defined the issue, stated his resolve to keep his oath of office, and explained to the public and the press that the battle is not yet over because the Supreme Court has yet to consider a petition for writ of certiorari which he hopes to file before the end of September.

5. The Chief Justice faces the real possibility of being found in contempt and suspended from the bench by Monday.

6. Attorney General Pryor appeared on several television shows to justify his actions. Chief Justice Moore appeared live with Catherine Crier, who openly mocked the Chief Justice ands refused to let him answer.

7. Christians continue to rally around the Supreme Court building.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 21, 2003 | Permalink

Delivered at August 21, 2003 Press Conference

Let me begin by stating that:

I am very disappointed with my colleagues on the Court who have decided to act in response to Judge Myron Thompson’s Order, to exercise authority under Section 12-5-20 Alabama Code to remove the monument of the Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.

But the fight to defend our Constitutional right to acknowledge God must and will continue!

Very soon we will file a petition for writ of certiorari before the United States Supreme Court to resolve clearly our inalienable right to recognize God under the First Amendment.

The people of this State elected me as Chief Justice to uphold our Constitution which established our justice system “invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God.”

To do my duty I must acknowledge God. That is what this case is about.

“Can the state acknowledge God” a direct quote from Judge Thompson.

Judge Thompson’s Order states that the acknowledgment of God crosses the line between the permissible and the impermissible, and that to acknowledge God is to violate the Constitution.

Not only does Judge Thompson put himself above the law but also above God as well.

I have been ordered to do something I cannot do — violate my oath. I hear others talk of the “rule of law.”

If the “rule of law” means to do everything a judge tells you to do, we would still have slavery and the Declaration of Independence would never have been written.

The “rule of law” causes those who strongly oppose Roe v. Wade because it is the taking of human life and the slaughter of millions of innocent babies, to condemn innocent babies to death because they do not understand our organic law the Declaration of Independence which states that “we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

The “rule of law” in 1858 declared that slaves were property simply because a judge said so.

Dr. Martin Luther King is proof enough that great men do follow the rule of law and not the rules of man.

I say enough is enough and we must “dare defend our rights” as our State motto declares.

No judge or man can dictate what we believe or in Whom we believe.

The 9th and 10th Amendments are not a part of the Constitution simply to make the Bill of Rights a round number.

The 9th Amendment secured our right as a people.

The 10th guaranteed our right as a sovereign state.

I was dismayed and angry to learn that while I was away someone had placed a shroud around the Ten Commandments.

Before the Federal District Court here in Montgomery sets a bust of the Greek Goddess Themis. You won’t find federal authorities scurrying around to conceal that bust behind a screen.

And neither should we hide the truth any longer.

I will not violate my oath, I cannot forsake my conscience, I will not neglect my duty, and I will never deny the God upon Whom our laws and Country depend.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 21, 2003 | Permalink

This morning, eight justices of the Alabama State Supreme Court met and voted to overrule Chief Justice Roy Moore on his heroic decision to uphold the Alabama constitution and keep the Ten Commandments monument on display in the State Judicial Building. At the time of the vote, the Chief Justice was attending a funeral. The eight Supreme Court Justices ordered building authorities to cover the monument. Upon his return to the Supreme Court building, the Chief justice called for the removal of the covering and indicated that the monument was not to be removed. To stay tuned for breaking news in the Ten Commandments monument case, please check for regular updates on Doug’s Blog. Further details are expected from Justice Moore’s 2:30 p.m. (CDT) press conference.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 21, 2003 | Permalink

Chief Justice Roy Moore appeared live tonight on CNN, MSNBC, Headline News, Fox and other national news networks. He fielded question after question from reporters who generally displayed both ignorance of the legal issues, and disrespect for the Chief Justice. (There were a few notable exceptions like with Sean Hannity of Hannity and Combes.) With grace, poise and a daunting knowledge of the constitutional issues, Chief Justice Moore defended his position, utterly refusing to give ground to reporters who accused him of violating the rule of law. Moore explained that he would uphold his oath of office to the end, that the federal judges did not make law, that our country was founded on an acknowledgment of the Judeo-Christian God, not the God of Islam or Budddah, and that he, not the federal judge, was upholding the rule of law.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 20, 2003 | Permalink

We are receiving communciations from God-loving Christians from around the nation who believe that government officials may acknowledge God. Here are a few that came in during the last five minutes prior to the writing of this blog:

Thank you so much for your part in letting all of us know what is going on with the issue regarding Judge Moore and the 10 Commandments. We, too, are some of those that eagerly await your e-mails about this matter. And, because of our respect for and trust in Vision Forum and the information that you sent to us, we, too, journeyed from the Vicksburg, MS area to attend the rally last Saturday in Montgomery. What an incredible experience! My husband and two sons and myself are so thankful that our Lord granted that we be part of this! Please give our love and support to Judge Moore and his family and let him know that our prayers remain with him. Our love and support and prayers are with you and your family as well, Mr. Phillips. We appreciate all of you so much. Press on in our King’s name! (Col. 3:17)

Many years ago in Alabama, someone took a stand against unreasonable oppression. Oppression from their own government! Eventually, it lead to freedom and opportunity for people who did not fully know what freedom and opportunity was. Is Alabama going to be again, a place where freedom is born? Will the people of Alabama once again cement themselves in history? Once again, the good people of Alabama are faced with an oppressive government, a God-less government, hell-bent on asserting their own authority of that of God. It’s time to take a stand once again, to say once and for all, enough is enough! God Bless Chief Justice Moore. Pray for A. G. Pryor, that he may find wisdom and recognize the error of his ways.

THANK YOU THANK YOU for the update...I don’t watch “news” on TV nor listen on the radio so I was awaiting more information from Vision Forum! Thank you for the update so I can pray more effectively as we, my family and I, continue in prayer for this man and his mighty stand!

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 20, 2003 | Permalink

More than 125 people gathered last night at my home for a special tribute to the paleontologist team that just returned from their stunning discovery of a complete Edmontosaurus, and for film footage taken by the team that just returned from the Alabama rally on behalf of Chief Justice Roy Moore.

There were many thrilling moments from the Alabama film footage. Especially memorable were the comments about perseverance and trusting in the power of the Lord shared by the Chief Justice. When asked in a private Vision Forum interview about his strategy, his response was simple: “Stand!”

Also exciting was the remarkable story of God’s providential direction in providing for Christians yet more thrilling evidences for the biblical account of creation. The discoverers from Creation Expeditions of “Ezekiel” the dinosaur believe the Edmontosaurus to have been covered by volcanic ash fine enough to preserve the reptilian-like skin. The beautifully preserved, fossilized skin they discovered with “Ezekiel,” which appears to retain pigment and is clearly reptilian, seems to disprove speculation by evolutionists that this was a transitional animal with feathers. The Bible teaches that God created all animals according to their kind on the fifth and sixth day of creation, not through evolving transitions.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 20, 2003 | Permalink

This last weekend, we enjoyed what seems to have been the most providentially blessed Father and Son Retreat in the six year history of Vision Forum. “Little Bear” Wheeler and I gathered with 360 fathers and sons from around the country at a mountain-top retreat in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The setting was idyllic, and the state organization which co-sponsored the event with us, top notch in every way. My personal helpers for the trip were my beloved sons Joshua and Justice, and staff members Bob Renaud and Brian Howell.

“Little Bear” and I were able to share about ten messages, between the two of us, messages that focused on multi-generational faithfulness, the necessity of becoming men of honor, the providence of God in history, men as protectors and defenders of women, the blessings of biblical patriarchy, and much more. Dozens and dozens of men came to me and communicated that the weekend was a turning point in their lives, that God had convicted them of the necessity of embracing a godly family vision and of reprioritizing their lives. Several men indicated that the biblical message for fathers and sons was deeply healing.

Throughout the four-day weekend, I communicated with Chief Justice Moore by phone and shared the reports of the unfolding events taking place in Alabama with the enthusiastic men who vigorously prayed for the Chief Justice and who were profoundly heartened by his uncompromising stance in the face of adversity.

During the afternoons, the fathers and sons enjoyed a host of activities from water slides, to frisbee golf, to hiking. The climax of the event was the “Father and Son Olympics” which involved dizzy lizzies, tug-o-war, sack races, and more.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 19, 2003 | Permalink

God has blessed me with a remarkable team of men at Vision Forum. One part preachers, one part adventurers, one part artists, and one part businessmen, these fellows bring a level of skill and flexibility that allows them to quickly transform themselves into a special forces missionary team whenever duty calls. With just a few days of preparation, approximately fifteen of them traveled to Alabama to stand with Chief Justice Roy Moore in his historic stand to acknowledgement God in the public square.

Under the leadership of Vision Forum veteran Wesley Strackbein, the team traveled fourteen hours from San Antonio to Montgomery, and hit the ground running video taping the event, interviewing speakers and visitors, and meeting privately with Chief Justice Moore. When the events of the day were over, the team drove through the night and with little sleep arrived just in time to attend Sunday worship service and bring the body of Christ a thankful report on their personal time with the Chief Justice and the rally.

Particularly gratifying was the fact that several hundred of the people gathered indicated that their decision to attend the rally was in response to our Vision Forum email urging Christians to stand in solidarity with the Chief Justice. One family pictured below drove straight from Illinois for the honor of being present at the three hour rally.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 18, 2003 | Permalink

We give thanks to the Lord for the arrival of our 2003 Vision Forum intern class today. The privilege of mentoring and training these young men is part of our mission at the Vision Forum. After giving them and their families a tour of the Vision Forum facility, we launched their internship with a a full day of orientation classes. These young men will learn practical business skills as they serve the ministry of Vision Forum, and will receive some personal training from me in a diversity of disciplines, ranging from law and theology, to apologetics and ethics, to communication skills, and more.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 12, 2003 | Permalink

My father, Howard Phillips, appeared on national television last night for the MSNBC live broadcast of “Scarborough Country,” along with Democratic strategist Flavia Colgan and a former California governor to debate the question: Is Arnold Schwarzenegger a conservative? Answer: Not in this reality. Arnold opposes the right to the life of the unborn, favors giving sodomites protected legal status, and favors gun control.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 12, 2003 | Permalink

We receive thousands of letters each month at the Vision Forum, but I am always especially touched when I learn of ways in which the message of family renewal which we try to communicate changes lives, as in this precious note from a young woman who turned her heart to home:

I just want to tell you how much your tape, What’s a Girl to Do?, changed my life. Almost a year ago, I was a nineteen-year-old college sophomore at a Christian college. I have wonderful parents, five little brothers and sisters, and was home schooled my whole life, but college was slowly undoing all these strong values I had been taught. I was learning how to be “independent” — independent of my real priorities and responsibilities. I found your catalog at a friend’s home, and ordered What’s a Girl to Do? right away. My eyes filled with tears as I listened. I sent the tape to my parents, and we later discussed it. We decided college was not the place for me. I moved back home where I belonged. Right away, things started falling into place. I was so happy to help my mother with my siblings and around the house. I was back on track. I soon met the man I was going to marry. He later told me that, when I explained my theory on no longer going to school, he knew I was the girl for him. We courted and then married this June. I wish I could tell every feminist how joyful and happy I am. God will bless you for doing His will. Thank you, Mr. Phillips, for making this tape. I hope it helps other girls as much as it has helped me. You are doing a wonderful service with all your work here at Vision Forum ... I couldn’t thank you enough.

Praises be to our God and Father! Thank you, Lord, for the mighty and noble army of women You are raising up for Your glory!

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 9, 2003 | Permalink

The first event my one-week-old baby son ever attended was my graduation from George Mason School of Law. He will never remember the words that were spoken that day, but I surely will. The graduation speaker was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the recently-appointed Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On that occasion, Justice Ginsburg declared (and I am paraphrasing) that her nomination to the Supreme Court signaled the final overthrow of the misogynistic grip that the Christian patriarchalism of the common law had exercised against the legal profession.

Citing the 1873 Supreme Court case of Bradwell v. Illinois, 16 Wall. 130, 139, 142, in which the Supreme Court explicitly drew from Holy Scripture to uphold an Illinois law which reinforced distinctions between men and women, Ginsburg declared dead and buried the old order in which the Constitution was taken literally and the higher law was understood to be its foundation. After all, why follow fixed law when the more informed, more highly evolved present generation can simply declare what they think should be law.

This brings me to my two goats (now deceased): Penumbra and Emanation, the two most elusive, rebellious, and law-breaking goats ever to grace the Hill Country of Southern Texas.

Strange names for goats? Not when you see goats as I see goats.

(Those of you who follow legal history may recall that it was the Griswold decision which declared for the first time a Constitutional right to privacy. The context was a law concerning contraception. Finding no concrete constitutional rule which would allow the Court to reach the conclusion they personally preferred, the justices declared a “right to privacy” found in the “penumbras and emanations” of the Constitution. Since then, “penumbras and emanations” have been the source of every anti-family act of constitutional legislation handed down by the court.)

Here is how the whole goat thing began: Some years ago, I decided that the next logical step in my personal experiment in agrarianism was the acquisition of two goats. Knowing little about goats, but fancying the idea of my glorious flock of two beasts happily bleating and following me and my children around our small, leased, country farm in the cactus-rich hills of Texas, I ordered my goats and waited with baited breathe for their arrival.

Within sixty seconds of their disembarkment from the transport vehicle, they had escaped and were running wildly throughout the countryside, terrorizing the neighbors and wrecking yards. My opinion of goats began to change.

Here is what I discovered: Goats are out-of-control maniacs that scream bloody murder when you approach them, eat everything (literally everything ) in sight, climb trees just long enough to pounce on your children, and have one and only one purpose in life — to wreak chaos, havoc, and devastation to the domestic bliss and otherwise peaceful dominion of the Christian country patriarch. In short, goats are evil.

Back to Justice Ginsburg: Last week, our second female Justice took the reasoning she shared with my fellow law school graduates to its logical conclusion. At a meeting of the American Constitution Society, she shamelessly declared that the Supreme Court would no longer be bound to the Constitution, but would look to international law as a basis for legal decision making.

“Our island or lone ranger mentality is beginning to change,” Ginsburg proclaimed. Justices “are becoming more open to comparative and international law perspectives.”

These comments parallel similar statements made by Justices Kennedy and O’Connor. They are revolutionary in every sense. Most importantly, they prove that what began with “penumbras and emanations,” has turned into an unabashed, public rejection of the Constitution as the source of our laws. The fact that such statements are not headline news in every paper indicates that these radical revolutionaries of injustice know they can get away with jurisprudential murder and no one will hold them accountable.

Today I argue for accountability.

Goats can’t be impeached, but Supreme Court Justices can. (The solution for goats involves the barbeque grill and some Tobasco.) The Constitution provides the means to remove them and allows them to remain in their position during good behavior. Like my rebellious goats, Penumbra and Emanation, Justice Ginsburg has refused to serve with “good behavior.” She has rejected her oath of office and should be impeached.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 8, 2003 | Permalink

I spoke with Chief Justice Moore yesterday morning for about thirty minutes and can report that his spirits are steadfast and his mind is crystal clear. He was encouraged to know about the outstanding response to our e-mail broadcast discussing his stand before the 11th Circuit Court. Last night, Justice Moore demonstrated his judicial acumen and spiritual strength on the Hannity and Combs cable show. Earlier he participated in a forty-five-minute national radio broadcast with Sean Hannity. God has been kind to give me several opportunities to discuss the issue on Christian radio, including a broadcast with Tim Wildman on his two-hundred stations with American Family Radio, a thirty-minute show with Dick Bott of the Bott Broadcasting network, and our own local “Take a Stand” broadcast on KSLR with my good friend Adam McManus.

A large contingent from San Antonio, including a number of men from Vision Forum, will be making the trek to Montgomery, Alabama to stand with Justice Moore on Saturday, August 16, for the rally on his behalf to meet at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of the Alabama State Judicial Building. For more information about the rally, see the Vision America Web site.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 8, 2003 | Permalink

As a boy, my father’s library was always a thing of awe and beauty. I loved the rich mahogany-stained shelves of the sacred inner sancuary called “Dad’s Study,” but more importantly, I viewed the old square room as a time vault into the unfolding history of my father. The various seasons of his life, from his childhood at the Boston Latin School to his undergraduate work at Harvard, to his various epochs of service on behalf of Christ and country, seemed to be chronicled for every family member to see through the many books which he had devoured over the years.

Often, the information contained in the pages of these books were less important to me than the story of what these books represented to my father at the time he purchased them. I often found clues handwritten in the margins, clues which pointed to priorities, challenges, struggles, epiphanies, and victories which he may have experienced at the time that the books were first opened and read by him. In some cases, as with his copy of R.J. Rushdoony’s Institutes of Biblical Law, a flip to the back cover revealed notations of the date when he completed the first, second, third, and even fourth reading of the same valued book.

In many respects, a man’s library is a reflection of the life of the man. Fathers would do well to carefully build their libraries and invite their sons to familiarize themselves with the rich treasures contained therein. A man’s library should be dominated by well-bound hardback books, as these are the only type that will stand the test of time. I favor writing in the margins of books. Many of the Founding Fathers did the same, and for good reason. Marking a book personalizes it and allows the reader to leave a memorial to his thoughts at the time, as well as a reference guide from which he can draw ideas for teaching, writing, or speaking. History records that both the sons of several notable Founders as well as future generations of Americans were able to benefit from the fact that these ancient fathers left clues as to their true, unpublished thoughts, through the penciled commentary found in the margins of the volumes which lined their shelves.

The image at the top of this blog reveals one of my favorite libraries. Still open to the public, the library of John Quincy Adams is remarkable for its simplicity, its depth, and its multi-generational vision. Built by John Quincy Adams for his father, his sons, and future generations, the structure itself is a simple rectangle with true Puritan New England simplicity. Having said this, the beauty of the floor tiling, the richness of the shelving, and the magnificence of a room in which every square inch has been designed with purpose, leaves the visitor breathless. Of course, the statues and paintings which visually chronicle the life of the Adams family and their friends is impressive, but it is the leather-bound books that captivate and enthrall one’s attention — thousands of them, most ancient first editions that tell the story of the education, the passions, and the vision of one of the most influential families in history.

Upon entering the library with me, our dear friend, author and famed collector of antiquities, Mr. Dan Ford stated:

“Ah, the smell! There should be a cologne called ‘Old Books.’ I would wear it every day.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 7, 2003 | Permalink

On May 23, a thirty-three-year-old woman gave birth to a seven-pound bouncing baby boy. Nothing would be particularly unusual about this except for the fact that the mother was an active-duty Marine Sergeant serving overseas on an amphibeous assault ship, the U.S.S. Boxer, as part of a combat mission in an official war zone. The woman claimed she did not know she was pregnant.

Probably deeming it to be unpatriotic and politically incorrect to dicuss the implications of female Marines giving birth in combat, when so many women went to war this year, the incident was briefly discussed by the Pentagon, then silenced.

Writing for Military.com, Matthew Dodd offered the following practical concerns:

(1) What if the Boxer had been involved in amphibious combat operations when the Marine went into labor?

(2) What if the Boxer’s medical personnel and facilities had been fully engaged with combat casualties when the Marine went into labor?

(3) Why are we willing to flirt with the possibility of having the Boxer’s medical and operational leadership diverted from their primary responsibilities to deal with pregnancy and birth-at-sea issues?

(4) What if there had been complications with the birth, especially during combat operations?

(5) Would combat casualties have taken precedence over the birth process if resources were an issue?

(6) Can we afford the additional resources (time, equipment, personnel, leadership, decision-making, etc.) to make the special, impromptu arrangements to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies on combatant warships?

(7) Are we willing and able to deal with the breakdown of unit cohesion when expectant and new mothers must be transported to facilities ashore in compliance with Navy regulations?

Dodd’s points are all well-taken and simply illustrate the fact that when you break the law of God, the consequences are terrible. Clearly, childbirth aboard military vessels is unacceptable, but the real issue will always be: What does God’s Word say?

Earlier this year, Vision Forum Ministries threw down the gauntlet and formally challenged the Church to oppose within its ranks (through church discipline if necessary) the sin of women in the military. We received hundreds if not thousands of responses, most very grateful for the biblical stand, a few infuriated, and others still unsure. (To read our theological and practical defense of a male-only military, please visit www.visionforum.org.)

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 6, 2003 | Permalink

The next frontier of discovery in the ever-forward mission of the Church to “take every thought captive” and outflank the enemy in the cultural battle for the day is paleontology. Last year, a team of home school paleontologists, Creation Expeditions, invited Vision Forum to join them in search of the skull of a world-class Allosaurus (the follow-up to a prior dig they had conducted which unearthed the articulated remains of most of this monster). The remarkable discovery of that skull and its partial restoration, documented in our feature film Raising the Allosaur, is a testimony to the power of God to bless those families with a vision for discipleship and dominion.

Day after day, Vision Forum has received a deluge of comments and letters from some of the thousands of children who have watched the film and wrote to share their utter delight, their gratitude before the Lord, and newly-inspired vision to be a dinosaur discoverer for the glory of God. (One very young, lisping boy recently told me: “I watch it over and over. It is my favorite film ever.”)

Mark and Peter work on the Allosaur skull

Two central figures in the film Raising the Allosaur are Mark and Peter DeRosa. These boys are genuine prodigies and future leaders. Before reaching their twenty-first birthdays, these boys have distinguished themselves and experienced splendid victories in this remote, but oh-so-important field of science — victories which include the discovery and excavation of an Allosaur; the discovery, excavation, and restoration of a significant Columbian Mammoth Jaw; and most recently, the discovery of an Edmontosaurus, complete with skin imprints. Many paleontologists twice their age might only hope to experience such finds in a lifetime.

But these boys represent a different type of prodigy than the type we are accustomed to seeing: Schooled in solid reformed theology, trained since their childhood in the field with their father, well-read, and self-motivated, these boys are articulate, able spokesmen for the cause of creationism. More importantly, they are men of honor, committed to keeping covenant with their family. They are devoted to, and in every respect honor their mother and father.

It is because of young men like these that home educators are on the front lines of the battle in our cultural war. The best of them are innovative, flexible, principled, and creative. Not content to eat the dregs from the table the world has to offer, they are pressing forth the Crown rights of Christ in areas long occupied by the enemy. Most importantly, they understand that advancing the Kingdom begins first at home, before one is even qualified or capable of bringing it to the field.

Home educators bring state-of-the-art technology to their field work. Here, a home school father and GPS professional places the Colorado dig site on a professional grid system

And few areas of creation studies need principled and capable leadership as badly as that of paleontology. One-part preacher, one-part Indiana Jones, this new breed of boy is going to set the world on fire for the glory of God. These are the men who will be our future leaders, the boys who will inherit a legacy of leadership from the past generation and who must build the temples that their fathers conceived, but never completed. They are boys who must bring ever-higher ethical standards to their field of work and not yield to the lure of lucre or compromise on the ground of philosophical expediency. (This is crucial: Sadly, creationism — like everything else out there in this fallen world — has its fair share of hucksters and charlatans more interested in making a buck through sensationalism, than advancing the kingdom of God.)

But whenever God raises up such a generation, there always arises a breed of men — envious and consumed with greed — who would stand and revile the great work of God in these young men. Over the past few months, we have heard as some of the more unscrupulous of these individuals shout (paraphrase): “It’s a lie, how could a bunch of home school kids do this;” and “Give it to us, not these kids, they will destroy the Allosaur, they already have.”

What makes these charges especially preposterous is the fact that the lab work done on the Allosaur has been examined by at least one renowned, world-class expert in the field of dinosaur restoration who declared the work of these young home schooled scientists to be excellent and consistent in every way with industry standards. He was so impressed that he tried to recruit the boys to come and assist him on some projects of his own, not only because of the excellence of their work, but because of their character.

Yes, God vindicates His own. He does it His way and in His timing. He “smashes the teeth” of the wicked, we need not do so ourselves. The same God who has raised up the best and the brightest of this generation will fight their battles for them. He will strengthen them and vindicate them before the scoffers of the world. How glorious to see the Lord defend His servants in His time and His way.

Home educators, you had better get used to the persecution, the scoffing, and the ridicule. This is the lot of all who will walk the narrow path and dream great dreams for the glory of God. The Lord means to make you into hearty men and women! To the extent you continue to honor your parents, to focus on Christ, and to think outside the box of pragmatism and small-mindedness which has enslaved the spirit of so many of your generation, you will be the future.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 5, 2003 | Permalink

Cornelius Van Til is one of the ten men who have had the most profound influence on my life. I never met Dr. Van Til, but I feel as if I know him through his writings and the many wonderful testimonies of those students he mentored — some of whom in turn mentored me. Van Til was an unassuming, Christ-loving man who taught a generation of the most brilliant minds to walk through the doors of Westminister Seminary. His students included Francis Schaeffer, R.J. Rushdoony, and Greg Bahnsen. Those who have studied his writings and come to understand the significance of presuppositional thinking, understand that it is no exaggeration to state that Van Til is not only the greatest thinker in the field of apologetics of the twentieth century, but that his life work stands in significance to the body of Christ with that of many of the great reformers of past centuries.

Recently at a home school convention in New Jersey, I had the distinct privilege of meeting a dear man whose mother was related to Dr. Van Til. What ensued was a blessed conversation where both of us delighted to learn about the other’s tender affection for the memory of this rigorously biblical spiritual giant. The other day I received the following letter from my new friend along with this wonderful, never-before-published photograph of the late Dr. Van Til with my friend’s mother.

Dear Brother Doug,

Under His Mercy,
Robert Woudenberg

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 4, 2003 | Permalink

Tomorrow afternoon, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will likely lift the “stay” on the “order to remove” the Ten Commandments from the Alabama State Judicial Building. Once the stay is lifted and the order to remove is in place, Chief Justice Roy Moore will have approximately fifteen days to obey the order.

But he will not obey this order. To do so would be (a) to violate his oath of office to the Alabama Constitution which specifically declares the state laws to be under God; (b) to grant jurisidiction to a federal court which is acting beyond the scope its lawful jurisdiction; (c) to ratify an unlawful and usurpatious application of the First Amendment; and most importantly (d) to concede that the God of Scripture is not supreme over the laws of the United States.

Because the Chief Justice will not obey this order, he may well be found in contempt and the stage will be set for one of the greatest constitutional crisis in American history (second perhaps only to the crisis between Andrew Jackson and the Supreme Court over the establishment of an unconstitutional monetary system, and the crisis precipitated by the Lincoln Administration when it raised troops against Virginia).

Justice Moore contemplates the battle ahead during lunch with Bob Renaud and Vision Forum staff.

There are many Ten Commandment cases surfacing around the country. This one is different from most of the others for two reasons: First, the defendant in the case is not a school official, or a lower judge, but the highest judicial officer of a state, the Chief Justice of a Supreme Court. Second, the Chief Justice has refused to employ the specious arguments which are so tempting to conservative constitutional attorneys intent on winning the case and so concerned about not seeming foolish before the court, that they frequently employ enemy arguments based on enemy assumptions in the hope that they can win a victory without fundamentally challenging the ruling paradigm of the Supreme Court on First Amendment issues. Such lawyers consider it a victory when the Ten Commandments are allowed to stand because they were able to squeeze such a practice into the “Lemon Test” or because the court found the placement of the monument to be of purely historic significance.

Justice Moore refuses to use such arguments. He has staked his case, his career, his very life on a simple proposition: The Lord God of the Bible who gave us the Ten Commandments is the only source of law and authority under which our nation and its judges may govern. It is this very God of Scripture to whom our Framers appealed when they drafted the charter documents for our nation. These same Framers gave us a Bill of Rights, the First Amendment of which makes it clear that the federal government may not interfere with the Church, nor prohibit any individual from freely exercising their religious beliefs.

To be precise, the First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise therof.” As Moore has pointed out: He is not Congress, and no law has been passed. He is simply acknowledging the source of law, God Almighty.

This is the type of argument that makes the judges of the land quake with indignation. They are the gods of the land and do not like to be challenged. Like Pharoah before Moses, Eleventh Circuit Judge Myron Thompson has hardened his heart, mocked, belittled, and even taunted the prophet who stood before him. Thompson and the Republican-appointed judges who ruled against Moore have forgotten God’s warning to them:

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Psalm 2:10-12

The true mettle and faith of many professing Christians may soon be tested. Where will they stand? If the Governor of Alabama stands with the Chief Justice, God’s Law will remain publicly displayed in the gates of that state. As the Chief Executive over the federal government, President Bush may also be presented with a decision of far-reaching implications: Enforce the federal court and stand with the 11th Circuit Court in their opposition to the display of God’s Law, or declare it invalid and stand with those who revere the God of our Constitution. Either way, America will have a constitutional crisis which opens the door for what is, from a spiritual perspective, arguably one of the two or three most significant Supreme Court cases in history.

The Supreme Court has discretion as to whether to hear a case or not. But where a significant conflict exists between jursidictions, it is virtually obligatory that the Court help to resolve the matter. If the Court grants a writ of certiorari to hear the case, you and I will be living spectators to an unprecedented event.

Picture this: For the first time since the Founding era, a state Chief Justice with faith in God Almighty will stand before the Supreme Court and exhort them of their duty to God, to man, and to the Constitution. He will defend the proposition that the God of Christianity is supreme over the laws of our nation and we must acknowledge Him or perish. Perhaps he will quote Scripture. Perhaps he will exhort these judges to “kiss the son, lest He be angry.” But whatever happens, it will be a defining moment in our nation’s history.

Once again, America will be tested. Where will we stand? (This was the subject of my sermon before the Body of Christ today during the meeting of the Church.)

One thing is clear. God has raised up Chief Justice Moore as a Moses to the children of these United States. He stands immovable because his confidence is in the Lord. He knows that the Lord of hosts will do battle for us. The same God who opened the sea with the blast of His nostrils to free the children of Israel is the same God who will defend all those who diligently seek him.

Perhaps because of this Moses of the American court system, we will someday live to see the same principle God gave to Israel, realized in the life of our own nation:

Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Isaiah 1:23-26

Oh, that God would restore our judges as at the first. Oh, that we would be called a city of righteousness! Do you believe in the power of God? Will you stand with Him and the prophets of righteosuness that He raises in our own land? Who is on the Lord’s side?

Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 3, 2003 | Permalink

He who findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor with the Lord.

Today I give thanks for the exceptional marriage of Josh Wean to Miss Sarah Back which took place earlier this evening before many families and friends that make up the community of saints here in San Antonio. This was the marriage of a pure woman to a pure man. Both were home schooled. Both have committed themselves to obeying the Fifth Commandment. Both have proven themselves to be people of deep, abiding honor and integrity. Both have a passion for service to Jesus Christ. Josh is one of the leaders here at Vision Forum and is a standard bearer for our ministry. He met his bride on the 2002 Vision Forum Ministries Faith & Freedom Tour.

Today the angels rejoice. And we rejoice with them. One man and one woman, both proven covenant keepers, have entered marriage with the purpose of serving God on a joint dominion mission for His glory. He is the leader and she is the follower, but both draw strength from the other. Together they are one.

In such a marriage, we have great hope — hope for the new couple; hope for the future of our community which rests on covenant keeping marriages; hope that our children will see living examples that marriage is a beautiful covenantal affair which must be approached with holiness. We have hope that the Lord will make those godly examples of marriage preparation attractive to our youth. And we desperately need such examples to stem the rising tide of dishonor and rebellion which is promoted through the dating culture and embraced by so many evangelical youth.

Josh and Sarah honored me with an opportunity to share a message during their wedding. One of the stories I told related to Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers. It was on this very day, August 2, 149 years ago, that Charles Spurgeon married his beloved bride Susannah. Their marriage became legendary as a sweet smelling aroma of Jesus Christ and an example of Christian love between a man and woman. The story of their meeting is especially interesting.

One day in church, Charles Spurgeon found himself sitting next to Susannah. She was reading a few lines from a book: “Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His Providence. If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth, therefore think of her and pray for her well.”

Spurgeon turned to Susannah and asked, “Do you pray for him who is to be your husband?” Susannah’s heart raced. Her eyes fell, she blushed at the young pastor’s words, and she answered, “I do pray for that.”

They declared their love for each other on August 2, 1854. Susannah later wrote the following words: “I left my beloved, and hastening to the house to an upper room, I knelt before God. I praised and thanked Him with happy tears, for His great mercy in giving me the love of so good a man. If I had known then how good he was, how great he would become, I would have been overwhelmed, not so much with the happiness of being his, as with the responsibility which such a position would entail.”

Spurgeon would describe the marriage that God had given him by writing: “I’ve been trying in these pages to leave the love out of letters as much as possible, lest my precious things should appear but platitudes to my readers” (speaking of his wife) “but it is a difficult task, for little rills of tenderness run between all the sentences, like the singing, dancing waters among the boulders of a brook, and I cannot still the music altogether. To the end of this beautiful life, it is the same, my letters will always be those of devotion and love, as well of appreciation.” He also wrote: “Happy woman, happy man, if heaven be found on earth, they have it.... At last, two are so blended, so engrafted in one stem, that their old age presents a lovely attachment, a common sympathy, by which its infirmities are greatly eliminated and its burdens are transformed into fresh bonds of love. So happy a union of will, sentiment, thought, and heart exists between husband and wife that the two streams of their life here wash away the divided bank and run on as one broad current of united existence till their common joy falls into the ocean of eternal felicity.”

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2003 | Permalink

On our way home from the Lake of the Ozarks for our family reunion vacation, I drove my family to Fulton, Missouri to see the Winston Churchill memorial. It was on this site in 1961 at Westminster College that my namesake (i.e., “Douglas Winston Phillips”) warned the people of the West that an Iron Curtain had descended across Europe in the form of Soviet domination.

Posted by Doug Phillips on August 2, 2003 | Permalink