A recent decision by the California Supreme Court to bar state judges from affiliation with the evil Boy Scouts of America raises interesting issues, as this letter to the Los Angeles Times recognizes:
For example, what if a bishop in California tried to call a member of his ward to serve with the Scouts — and that ward member happened to be a judge? Can you think of any other case, anywhere else, where the sheer acceptance of a pretty normal ward calling could cost a person his or her job, or get that person into legal difficulties? Does this rule bar female judges from serving as Cub Scout den mothers? Can they bring treats to a pack meeting, maybe? (But what if people found out?!?!?)
And, of course, if the Scouts are poisonous, the wicked Mormons are absolutely toxic on these same issues.
Should Mormons be permitted to serve in the judiciary? What about Catholics? Orthodox Jews? Should judges be required to take an oath affirming their irreligiousness? Or, at least, their alienation from non-state-approved religions? Sir Thomas More famously refused to sign an oath affirming Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. How would he react to this?
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