Justice Warren E. Burger Quote

"There can be no assumption that today’s majority is “right” and the Amish or others like them are “wrong.” A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no right or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different."

by:	Justice Warren E. Burger (1907-1995) Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1969-1986)
Source:	Wisconsin v. Yoder, 15 May 1972
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Categories:	Democracy, Diversity, Equality, Justice, Racism, Respect
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If they only were all as lucid as he was when he ruled in that case.  -- David L Rosenthal      1
It is too bad that such noble principle as was here proclaimed was not the legacy of the dark courts of the author's.  -- Mike, Norwalk      3
Too bad today's dark and narrow minded court does not see the value of such a broad minded vision.  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      2
The main culprit in overturning Burger's viewpoint is the Christian Right...haters of all things 'different'.  -- A.Jurgensen, Stuart, FL      1 2
Had the subject been gays instead of the Amish, the result would likely have been condemnation.  -- Joe, Rochester, MI      1
Excellent! Yes, tell me why the Christian Right hate gays so much perhaps they should be let out of the closet. If only the Judges could leave their politics at home and remember why they are a Judge.  -- Robert, Sarasota      1
If only medical insurance and other benefits were not linked to employment and tax policy was not linked to marriage and children. If only the government would stop trying to socially engineer us into dependent, docile subjects, then it wouldn't matter so much to each other how we lived our lives. When you force me to subsidize your lifestyle with government (any lifestyle) then I will resist and resent it. When you want me to endorse the idea that the mentally ill should be able to adopt children, I will resist and resent it. As for the Amish, I read just yesterday that Geauga county in Ohio created an Office of Family Stability for the purpose of getting the Amish to take foods stamps that they don't want. I respect the Amish, they take care of themselves.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA      3
Just a few years ago, sodomy was a crime. Now the anti-sodomy laws are all repealed, and homosexuality has become a matter of pride, pride in repeatedly inserting a reproductive organ into an excretory canal. The courts regularly rule against prayer or public displays of Christian principles, including calling preaching against homosexulaity a hate crime. Get your facts straight, you anti-Christian bigots.  -- David L Rosenthal      1 2
I'm smiling ear to ear; the other day I was wondering who did what with Archer. Now I'm wondering how many authors are using the pen name Anonymous from Reston? Did Reston take a Constitutional Law class? :-) Thanks Ken for the info. I might add to the quote, "not to be condemned" but also not interfere.  -- Mike, Norwalk
So, eh, yeah-- Ya'll can have your opinions, me and God will have ours.  -- Logan, Memphis, TN      1
This applies to religionists, atheists, drug warriors, morality police, and do-gooders everywhere who wish to use governmental power to enforce conformity on the rest.  -- E Archer, NYC      3
it should stop but its not  -- Anonymous
Not broad enough!  -- Anonymous
There is blatant hypocrisy within his statement. Does homosexuality "[interfere] with[any] right or [interest] of others?" This is not completely rhetorical; i'm actually curious if anyone can provide a solid argument  -- Anonymous      1 1
Anonymous, where is the hypocrisy (blatant or otherwise)? There can be no assumption that today’s majority is “right” and the homosexuals or others like them are right also (homosexuality seeming to be excepted as a majority view). A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no right or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different. Christian life style is odd, or even erratic to homosexuals. Christians are now condemned, having to perform occupying statist theocracy's marital sacraments (cakes, celebrations, etc.) Now that Mr. Obamunist Goodwrench the assassin is bringing in a majority of martial aged males whose life styles are odd and even erratic to western life styles, doesn't necessarily make them wrong. Christ Himself said: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matt 5:44) The criminal element (terrorists, all other religion haters, etc.) hiding within the rest of the odd and erratic is wrong. Anonymous again, where is the hypocrisy?  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Correct!  -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe
-- Jim k, Austin
" To keep an even keel, an honest wholesome life whether rich or needy, mighty or poor, It is never the right of another, to cross their fence or break down their door to oppress or exact from them." Does not even nature teach you " Good husbandry and common sense. When that of its own, becomes predatory of another to destroy the wholesome family it violates the natural laws of nature. But their is an opposite and equal reaction by way of the 2nd amendment. A broad over view Christ gave of forgiveness, the simplicity of the natural laws Paul puts forth. Some things hard to understand says Peter, of Paul and Liberty. I will say of ( Qadesh , homosexuality, sodomites with reprobate mindsets, tyrants of mob rule.) It violates the right to self-defense and protection of our children if and when statues condone the destructive predatory behavior to grow. Seeing up close the inundation of church and local, to state and fed. " Evil is not in the bar, it is in the pulpit. " ECM. Semper FI  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      1
We do see certain religious secs embracing the Qadesh, selling them forgiveness of sin, easy to understand why and how. The atheist and their embrace, for their conscience seared and waxed over with conceit and contempt. No fear of God before their eyes. " With out natural affection, implacable, unmerciful. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:31,32. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings ". Befitting for the day, Psalm 112:4,7. Give me liberty that I may protect myself from evil men.  -- Ronw13, Yachats Or      1
Anonymous, homosexuality is at best a mental disorder (illness) outside the norm of the species. Under nature's law, mental illness does NOT disallow inalienable rights, interests, or ability to act. By example: the current occupying statist theocracy infesting this land promotes and proselytes homosexuality (through the 4th branch of the government {media}, government seminaries (public schools), etc.) As I mentioned above, the religious sacrament of marriage has been redefined to include homosexual associations. To your question concerning hypocrisy, women competing with men in sports or bakers having to make cakes for parties with life styles contrary to their own are infringements of rights and interests.   -- Mike,, Norwalk
Mr. Archer stumbles from time to time, but he does eventually get up.  ;-)  -- E Archer, NYC      1
The late sadly, Mr Chief Justice Burger is not at all coordinated in this observation. The "Majority" and the Amish are just two branches of the same population arrangement. The Amish are not much different than the rest of the arrangement. Their toys are just arranged a little different. Like the rest of the arrangement the Amish are particularly neglectful of the developing circumstances. The whole population is neglectful of its responsibilities in keeping pace with the changing moral, social, and technological forces. The Amish are particularly an arrangement of dwindling, deteriorating behaviorial practices.  You can't neglect new innovations and ideas because you will deteriorate into a subhuman dimension.  Everyone must make the most of their efforts to understand the latest in social and technological improvements for human advancement and preservation.   -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

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