Editorial: Frist joins ‘holy war’

Friday, April 15, 2005 | 5 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

April 16 - 17, 2005

Next Sunday the Senate majority leader, Bill Frist, is going to ratchet up his campaign to change Senate rules so that filibusters against judicial nominations are no longer allowed. This would make it easier for President Bush to get his judicial nominees approved. Frist is going to appear with high-profile religious leaders in a telecast, originating from a church in Kentucky, that will portray Democrats as "against people of faith" because they have opposed some of Bush's judicial nominees. Some religious conservatives have been angered by court rulings -- on gay marriage, abortion and prayer in schools to name but a few -- and believe that ending judicial filibusters would enable Bush to get judges confirmed who share their views on faith.

The New York Times reported Friday that fliers promoting the telecast are calling the event "Justice Sunday." The fliers also show a man holding a Bible in one of his hands and a gavel in the other. Subtlety, alas, isn't a strong suit of the Family Research Council, which is organizing the show that will be broadcast directly to churches and aired on some Christian television and radio programs.

It's offensive to hear religious leaders say Democrats are against faith simply because they oppose what, in effect, would be a court-packing plan by Bush. It's also deeply disturbing that some religious and political leaders would try to pit Christian against Christian based on their political beliefs on an issue -- judicial appointments -- that should have nothing to do with religion. Religious leaders not affiliated with "Justice Sunday" should speak out against such hatred and language that more resembles a holy war and which has no place in political debate in the United States.