Posted by akc on August 13, 2001, at 14:48:07
In reply to Re: secular group » akc, posted by calla on August 13, 2001, at 13:11:28
> How can the state require you to attend a group that's based on a spiritual belief system? Isn't there something wrong with that picture?
>Would you believe, being a lawyer, I had never thought of the church/state issue before? But the world of getting your license is its own little world. It is not a guaranteed right, and because it is controlled by the Missouri Supreme Court (not the state legislature - this is true in almost all states), the only body that could review it is the U.S. Supreme Court. To date, the U.S. Supreme Court has been very, very reluctant to review any cases regarding admissions to the legal bar (there were a couple of cases back during the 60's involving civil rights). So it is the case that you really just got to suck it up and do what they want you to do. Unless you have the wealth and emotional fortitude to fight it -- knowing that you will probably lose.
I do think that because AA and Alanon let you choose a "God of your understanding" the state bar would argue that it isn't a religion, so it is not forcing you to believe a particular thing to become an attorney. Or that a court is forcing you to believe something to stay out of jail or to keep your driver's license or whatever the situation may be. So even if there was a case to come before the Supreme Court, I doubt that they would find that there was a separation of church/state problem.
There are lots of individuals that come to AA anymore that are being forced there for at least a short time by the order of a court or a state licensing board. Haven't ever run into someone like me (under a five year sentence).
Enough of the law school class for the day.
AKC
poster:akc
thread:9358
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010812/msgs/9477.html