That Pesky Rule of Law

In recent years there has been a growing consensus that the first thing that is absolutely necessary for a livable society that truly honors everyone is "the rule of law." Basically this means that the laws of the land are applied equally to everyone, regardless of station, income or crime. Not that the penalties are equal for every crime, but that all crimes are pursued equally vigorously. This is, of course, a principle that we say we unswervingly support in the US. It is certainly in keeping with the revelation of God as contained in the Bible. There we learn that God loves all equally and judges all equally. But today I heard on the radio that many of our highest public officials are saying that a US citizen accused of a crime should not be afforded the normal constitutional rights normally afforded a US citizen. In this case it is person accused of setting the car bomb in New York's Times Square. Now this crime could have been truly horrendous. And there is no doubt in my mind that, if they have actually found the right person, he should be convicted and incarcerated for a long time. But to not Mirandize him? Perhaps we should not even hold a trial?! I understand that anger and fear that an attempt like this raises. But we are either for the rule of law or we are not. If we decide that some crimes or some national origins or some religions mean that a person is not entitled to the same rights as everyone else - well how long until it is decided that Christians or Blonds or Caucasians are the real threat and that security demands that these people not be afforded constitutional rights? One of the greatest of our Founders chose to defend the most hated men in the American colonies when John Adams defended the alleged perpetrators of the "Boston Massacre." God, give us more John Adamses and fewer members of the mob!

Pastor Ken