Religious Litmus Test for Adoption

Submitted by Andy Axel on Wed, 01/02/2008 - 23:12.

According to the state of New Jersey, a 17-month old child is "deprived" of religious freedom when adopted by atheists.

...Judge Camarata denied the Burkes' right to the child because of their lack of belief in a Supreme Being. Despite the Burkes' "high moral and ethical standards," he said, the New Jersey state constitution declares that "no person shall be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshiping Almighty God in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience." Despite Eleanor Katherine's tender years, he continued, "the child should have the freedom to worship as she sees fit, and not be influenced by prospective parents who do not believe in a Supreme Being."

The Burkes are now living in Carterville, Ill., near Southern Illinois University, where John Burke has worked for the past year as a speech pathologist. Nevertheless, Judge Camarata ordered the parents to send David's sister back to the New Jersey adoption agency.

("Focus on the family," or "Inexcusable and unwarranted exercise of state power?")


WhitesCreek's picture
That might be the most

That might be the most offensive thing I've seen a Judge do in a long time...Not to mention being absolutely stupid.

R. Neal's picture
Activist judges.

Activist judges.

Andy Axel's picture
Where's the outrage, I

Where's the outrage, I wonder?

This is an injustice to the family that ranks right up there with, oh, Elian Gonzales.

__________________________________

"The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them." -M. Twain

The story in Time is dated

The story in Time is dated Monday, Dec. 07, 1970 ....
Link...

This judge

This judge is obviously bucking for a Supreme Court position before Bush leaves office. Barring that, at least a Justice Department job. And failing that, a professorship at Regents University, where all Bush's finest legal minds originate.

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