The Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Virginia argued that the state law is unconstitutional, that the government should not be involved in deciding when a religious organization has legally "divided" and that internal church laws and practices should govern such a spat.Ok, so the really amusing part is citing a Civil War Era Law...
But Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows ruled today in favor of the breakaway congregations, saying the diocese could have used routine civil documents to protect its property, but didn't. The law has been around for 141 years and "did not parachute into this dispute from a clear blue sky," Bellows wrote.
...
Robert Tuttle, an expert on church-state law, said the "only way" for the Episcopal Church to win now is for 57-9 to be overturned by a higher court. Tuttle also serves as legal counsel for the regional branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which filed a brief in the case on behalf of the Diocese of Virginia.
[ cf Ruling Favors Breakaway Congregations in Va. Suit ]
Ok, but the really fun part is the less talked about part, namely how so many of these so called 'break away' members are owing an allegiance to overseas bishoprics that are not even America!!! So why hasn't the department of homeland security become involved to address the National Security Issues here.
Now don't get me wrong here, when folks want to become the puppet toadies of Nigerian Regimes, I see nothing wrong with them filing as Ferrign Devil Agents of Unamericanism.
All of which leads to why the Radical Judicial Activists have opted to go against the Americans to support some collection of Ferrign Devils!!!
Thank GOD we have RoboBushCheney!!!
They Shiney!!!
They Know how to deal with these puppet toadies over seas darkies...
