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Free Speech and the Klan
Seeking your perspective as Mayor, a student writing a paper on the Constitutional Amendments has sought you out to comment on a controversial application of the First Amendment. The ?Adopt-A-Highway? programs began in Texas in 1985 to enlist the help of private citizens and organizations to keep highways clean. The program allows an individual or, more typically, an organization to take responsibility for cleaning up and beautifying a stretch of highway that it ?adopts.? In recognition of this effort, the name of the organization is posted on a sign along the highway, indicating that particular stretch of the highway is maintained by that organization. Similar programs now exist in most other states and have proven to be an effective way for states to save money and keep highways clean.
In 1994 the Ku Klux Klan submitted an application for Missouri?s ?Adopt-A-Highway? program, but was denied on the grounds that the Klan had a history of violating anti-discrimination laws and committing violent acts against individuals from racial minorities. However, the Klan sued, arguing that Missouri?s rejection of its application violated its right to free speech under the First Amendment. The lower courts ruled in its favor. Senior U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh, in St. Louis, stated that ?the state unconstitutionally denied the Klan?s application based on the Klan?s views.? Hence, in November of 2000, signs went up designating a one-mile stretch of Interstate 55 south of St. Louis as having been adopted by the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan seemed to have selected that particular section of I-55 because it is used for bussing St. Louis black students to county schools under a court-ordered desegregation program. In a symbolic response to the KKK, Missouri passed a bill to name that section of I-55 ?
Missouri?s subsequent appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was joined by 28 other states arguing that a highway sign acknowledging the Klan suggests an implicit acceptance of the Klan and gratitude for its participation. However, forming an unusual alliance, the Klan found legal representation in the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU attorneys representing the Klan successfully argued that the First Amendment protects the organization ?against those who would misuse government power to suppress political dissidents.?
How would you respond?
Your Responsibility in Writing Your Case Study is to Reflect upon the realities of this situation as the Mayor who is answering a student who is writing a paper on the Constitutional Amendments. You will need to work through the following processes as you respond to the student as Mayor:
1. Identify the Core Issue of the Situation.
2. Relate Crook’s Discussion of “The Christian as Citizen” with the Issue of this Situation.
3. Relate the Jung & Jung articles on pp. 307-327.
4. Describe the Ethical Dilemma, the Leadership Choices.
5. Provide the following from your perspective as Mayor:
A solution that takes seriously the realities of this case (i.e., Supreme Court decisions, the law, etc.). In other words, do not provide a solution by amending the constitution. As Mayor, you do not have the authority to amend the constitution.
A course of Action that results in creating an environment or a community that enables people to live well.
https://moodle.leeuniversity.edu/file.php/8560/Turabian_Style_Guide_School_of_Religion_Lee_University.pdf
CASE STUDIES: Please Read the Following Carefully
Syllabus Description: Case Studies: No less than eight hundred (800) words and no more than one thousand (1,000) words (approximately 2.5 – 3 pages, double-spaced).
The case study must be submitted in Turabian 6th edition format. To see the School of Religion Guidebook on Turabian’s 6th edition, log on to the Lee University web page (www.leeuniversity.edu) and click on the Academics link at the top of the screen. Then click on the School of Religion’s Christian Ministries department link. When you are at the Christian Ministries page, scroll down and click on the link to the Manual of Style for Papers (https://religion.leeuniversity.edu/pdf/sorManualofStyleRev-05.pdf). Be very careful to familiarize with this guidebook, paying particular attention to the formats for the title page, first page, footnotes, bibliography, biblical citations, gender inclusive language, etc.
Be sure to give credit (i.e., footnote) all your sources at the location where they are inserted in your paper; and be sure to do so in Turabian’s 6th edition format. All papers must be submitted in MS Word format (.doc or .docx).
First, give evidence and critical thought to the issues covered in the readings.
Second, give your particular take on the issue(s).
Third, give a brief concluding statement (approximately 1 paragraph) in which you present how your findings/readings have changed/not changed you and/or your views.
Please keep in mind that you only have a maximum of 1000 words, so be brief and selective.
OLD TESTAMENT ETHICS
Biblical Ethics
The Bible is a unique text that spans approximately 1,500 years, contains 66 books, and was written by over 40 individuals. While the study of Christian ethics gives focus to the New Testament, our present study will begin with a look at the ethical characteristics of the Old Testament. Therefore, we begin by looking at the Old Testament in order to better understand the ethical characteristics of Jesus and Paul.
The Old Testament
The ethical teachings of the Old Testament cannot be separated from the influence of the Law and the covenantal relationship between God and Israel; in this regard, Old Testament morality and spirituality are inseparably connected.
The requirements of the Law can be seen to reveal developing concepts through the various law codes (i.e., the Covenant Code, the Holiness Code, and the Deuteronomic Code).
Further, the writings of the prophets reflect an ethical monotheism that established moral requisites upon the sovereignty and character of the one God.
It is primarily in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament that we find explicit material concerned with individual morality.
Contemporary Issue D
STATUS OF WOMEN
(Read Crook, pp. 190-207)
Throughout history women have had a second-class status in relation to men. Contemporary gender stereotypes seem to reflect the persistent attitudes of a male dominated culture. While women have made significant advances toward recognition, they have by no means achieved an egalitarian status with males.
Women and the Law
Women, although comprising the larger voting constituency in America, are finding the legislative processes unresponsive to their concerns. This is particularly evident in the development and enforcement of rape laws. Many women do not report rape occurrences because of the difficulty in providing proof in a court of law. Marital laws designed to provide protection to women are not being vigorously enforced. Sexual harassment has become the leading issue in regard to women and the law. Unfortunately, sexual harassment allegations are difficult to prove in a court of law.
Women and Employment
Great strides have been achieved by women entering the male dominated work place.
Nevertheless statistics continue to reveal that, as a group, women are paid significantly less then their male counterparts. Further, in high-paid positions, women continue to be a minority. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, has yet to find full enforcement in regard to male-female pay ratios.
The Feminist Movement
The industrial revolution brought with it a family revolution; women entered the work force like never before. Women?s Suffrage movement eventuated in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, allowing women to vote. However, sexual discrimination remained pervasive; the result was that in the 1960?s and 1970?s women organized nationally. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made sexual discrimination illegal; however, attempts to pass the equal rights amendment failed. Nevertheless, women have continued to make advancements in equality. The past two decades have witnessed an emphasis on using inclusive language in written and spoke communications, further demonstrating the continued progress of women in their quest to be considered as equals.
Women and the Scripture
Women in the Bible have been pictured as subordinate and at par with men. The Jewish culture reflected in the Old Testament depicts women primarily subordinate to men. However, the New Testament?s picture of Jesus? and Paul?s views on women shows a departure from the rigid subordination. Paul even declares that in Christ, there is neither male nor female.
Contemporary Issue E
CITIZENSHIP WITHIN A DEMOCRACY
(Read Crook, pp. 208-221)
American Democratic Government
The American system of government provides its citizenry with the power to participate. From the Christian perspective, this power is not absolute; it is understood to be given under God. The question then, for the Christian, is where the line of authority ends for the state.
Biblical Teachings
The Old Testament reflects the theocratic form of government; government by God. The chief purpose of the state was to insure justice for the people of God. The instrument for this was the law.
As we are introduced to the New Testament we see the Jewish people in a struggle with Rome. The political structures are not theocratic, they are secular and hostile to Christianity. Further, the eschatological (end times) expectation of Christ?s imminent return seems to have effected an apathy toward political change. Jesus? comments regarding the rendering to Caesar what is his, and to God what is God?s, reflects an understanding of the claims of the state upon the individual. Paul?s approach seems to reflect this responsible citizenship. We are to obey the civil authorities, for they have been established by God to keep peace. Our present situation under the state is but a temporary one.
The Christian as Citizen
Crook gives special attention to the significant work of H. Richard Niebuhr in the theology of Christian involvement with the state. As citizens of a democracy we do have certain political obligations. We are called to be salt and light; and, as such, we can bring our particular Christian views (value of life, community, and hope) into the process. Crook concludes with a brief section on suggestions for involvement.
The Real Issue
The real issue here has to do with the Christian and their obedience to the state. At what point can the Christian say I will not obey the state? This is not as easy a question to answer as it may seem at first glance. When we read in the Bible that God instituted the governing authorities to maintain order, and that they do not carry the “sword” in vain; and when we read that we should submit to the governing authorities; it makes it necessary for the Christian to carefully tread that ground upon which they choose to be disobedient to the state.
The additional issue regarding the level of evil present in the state is equally complicated. Paul wrote to the believers who were under the authority of the Roman Emperor. This was the government that was complicit in the crucifixion of Christ. How is it that Paul called the then believer to obedience to this kind of government? If Paul expected obedience to Rome, what would he have to say regarding the believer’s obedience to the United States Government? Granted, the United States Government is democratic and the Roman Emperor was a dictator (for the most part). Nevertheless, the issue is still poignant and challenging.
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