The 2019-2020 term for the Supreme Court opened Oct. 7, making citizens anxious for the arrival of rulings over LGBTQ+ rights, abortion, work place based age discrimination and environmental issues.
While the court was set up to represent the constitution and treat it as the highest law of the land, the court’s decisions now rely on what political party can appoint the most justices. The Republican party currently holds the majority of Justices with two recent additions–Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch–both President Trump’s appointees.
The court is set to first rule on Altitude Express v. Zarda. The case is significant to many because its ruling decides whether or not sexual orientation is added to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The addition would protect people from being fired for their sexual orientation. While race and sex are currently covered, many businesses cite sexual orientation as a just cause to fire someone.
Neither Justice Kavanaugh or Neil Gorsuch have had much to say during the arguments over Altitude Express v. Zarda. However, Justice Kavanaugh came onto the court with mainstream support from “The Family Research Council” who is known for believing that any sexual orientation other than straight being “unhealthy” and “destructive.” These groups’ support of politicians is already dangerous, however supporting Justices is a clear violation of separation of church and state.
All nine Justices were appointed to defend the constitution, not their individual religious beliefs. Politics are inevitable in the Supreme Court. However, if the Justices find their religious beliefs to be the evidence behind their political beliefs, it hurts and demeans the constitution.
Senior Bell Luebken further added, “I feel that religion should not have an effect on the Supreme Court because religion is not what our constitution is based off of. I believe the government should always keep state and church separate.”
While the court is under the government, therefore bound to involve politics, the courts decisions should simply be based off of the people and the constitution. Due to the justices not having elections, this should protect their ability to vote freely based on society and the constitution without pressure of special interest or fear of reelection.
The court will soon debate over the reversal of Roe v. Wade which protects a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. The issue is also a belief based off religion. The votes will simply come down to those who hold the constitution to truly be the supreme law versus the bible.
The court’s actions regarding these issues will affect the lives of all citizens, regardless of if they belong to the communities directly affected. The Supreme Court was made as a branch in order to have a clear defender of the constitution. Politics have some place in the courts; however, religion does not.
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