Meirs: Does Religion Matter?

Apparently some on the left believe that a nominee's religion should not bar her from being confirmed unless people on the right like her, if only in part, because of her religion. Looks like Miers may suffer a little from the "religion penalty" much like the school board in Dover, PA. According to the plaintiff's theory of the case, if actions are motivated even in small part by religious sentiments, they are suspect and potentially unconstitutional, regardless of their effects. If the plaintiffs win, schoolchildren will certainly learn this unfortunate lesson: the US Constitution may punish you if you let your religious faith affect how you live and speak about it openly, even if your faith helps you to pursue otherwise laudable goals.