The American court system has not been a hospitable place for the views of religious conservatives. Rulings on school prayer [Engel vs. Vitale (1962) and Abington vs. Shempp (1963)] and the Bible in classrooms in the 1960s started what has been seen by many as an attempt to expunge God from the classroom entirely. While the court decisions on prayer are seen as troubling, it was Roe Vs. Wade (1973) that convinced religious conservatives the Supreme Court would be a future battlefield.

The Supreme Court, Fundamentalist Logic, and the term Religion (Journal of Church and State)[article]

This article provides an excellent overview of the High Court's rulings regarding religion in addition to the trouble they've had defining the term 'religion' itself.

The Imperial Judiciary: Placing Justice Back in America's Courts (The American Center for Law and Justice)
The End Of Democracy? The Judicial Usurpation of Politics

This November '96 issue of First Things created quite a stir when it came out. The articles contained herein question the judgment and even validity of an "imperial judiciary" that makes decisions many view as intolerable or even immoral. This particular issue symbolizes for many the official split between the theological and political conservatives. Why not take a peek?


The End of Democracy? A Discussion Continued

After a rancorous month, and the resignation of several members of the journal's board, First Things continued their discussion with more opinions. Why stop the fun now?


Clear and Present Danger:   The New Far Right Judicial Litmus Test
The Imperial Judiciary   (Christian American)

The Cult of Scalia   By saying "This Court has mistaken a kulturkampf for a fit of spite" [ Romer Vs. Evans (1996)]   Antonin Scalia earned himself a place in any discussion of the American culture war.
USSC+ Online   Oh boy! Searchable court decisions!
FindLaw Legal Internet Guide   More cases! Why leave your house?

N.J. Adoption Ruling Could Have Wide Impact
Court Rejects Religious Bias Case
Court Limits Divorced Father's Church Teaching
States Can Keep Predators Locked Up, Court Rules (Detroit News 6/24/97)
Steamrolled and Bulldozed (John Leo, US News and World Report 5/12/97)
Court Casts Pall over Parental Rights Bill (Policy Review 4/97)
Republican Lawmakers go on the Offensive Against Activist Judges (Detroit News 4/27/97)
Court Mulls Abortion Clinic Pickets (USA Today 4/29/97)
Gospel According to the Court: Tax Bible Sales (Philadephia Daily News 5/2/97)