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AL Chief Justice Deems Homosexuality “An Inherent Evil”

Writing that homosexuality is “abhorrent, immoral, detestable, a crime against nature, and a violation of the laws of nature,” Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court concurred with the Court’s decision to deny a lesbian mother custody of her children. “The homosexual conduct of a parentÉcreates a strong presumption of unfitness that alone is sufficient justification for denying that parent custody of his or her own children or prohibiting the adoption of the children of others,” said Moore. While the panel decision focused on allegations of abuse in determining custody of the three teenage children, Moore focused his comments solely on the sexuality of the mother.

The Christian Coalition of Alabama praised Moore’s comments, saying that Moore acted “to strengthen the family and defend the institution of marriage.” David White, state coordinator for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Alabama, however, said that Moore’s opinion showed that “He cannot judge a gay person fairly and he should be removed from office.”

Moore is no stranger to controversy. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, together with the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a federal lawsuit against Moore for displaying a Ten Commandments monument in the state’s judicial building. Americans United also question Moore’s judicial ethics, as the Chief Justice allowed right wing TV evangelist D. James Kennedy to film the installation of the two-ton Ten Commandments and sell that footage for donations. Moore, according to Americans United, is also scheduled to appear on a summer cruise sponsored by Kennedy to discuss “America’s Christian Heritage.” Kennedy, head of the reactionary Coral Ridge Ministries and the Center for Reclaiming America, is staunchly opposed to the separation between church and state, which he calls “diabolical.” Kennedy has stated that he will “reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost.”

Sources:

Supreme Court of Alabama; Associated Press, 2/15/02; Christian Coalition of Alabama Media Advisory, 2/15/02; Americans United for Separation of Church and State Press Release, 2/13/02

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