Speak No Evil

We’ve seen in numerous posts that Kingdom PERSECUTION is often experienced in courtrooms. Lawsuits are brought against people of faith by parties feeling offended by their actions (or inaction) in the marketplace.

But what if the lawyers themselves are the ones perpetrating the offense?

In 2016, the American Bar Association (ABA) changed its model ethics rules for lawyers. Its new Model Rule 8.4 represents a hotly-contested new code of ethics, prohibiting attorneys from engaging in speech or being a member of any organization — even a church — that holds traditional views on marriage, sexuality and other issues.  https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/17/how-the-lawyers-plan-to-stifle-speech-and-faith/

The specific language of the new rule makes it unethical for anyone licensed in the practice of law to “discriminate on the basis of… sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or socioeconomic status in conduct related to the practice of law.”    https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_8_4_misconduct.html

The rule’s official comments interpret discrimination “related” to practicing law to include “verbal conduct” and “business or social activities.” Meaning anything a lawyer says to another person — whether speaking in church or over dinner — sharing viewpoints on same-sex marriage, transgenderism, Black Lives Matter or illegal immigration, would enable any hearer to file a complaint with the state bar authority.   https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/17/how-the-lawyers-plan-to-stifle-speech-and-faith/

ABA is a private organization. Of the nation’s 1.3 million lawyers, only 400,000 are ABA members. However, law licenses are issued by the highest court in each of the 50 states. And most state ethics rules are taken directly from ABA’s Model Rules. Or, at least, ABA Rules are taken as a starting point to craft state ethical requirements.  http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/08/attorney-general-meese-lawyers-rule-fascist-anti-christian/

Furthermore, this law will be used to indoctrinate law students. All but a few states require individuals to receive a law degree from an ABA-accredited law school to qualify to sit for state bar exams to get a law license. And every law school, if it seeks ABA accreditation, must teach legal ethics. Whose Model Rules will be taught to receive ABA accreditation?   http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/08/attorney-general-meese-lawyers-rule-fascist-anti-christian/

In a scathing letter to the ABA in advance of its vote, Edwin Meese III (75th Attorney General of the U.S.) and Kelly Shackelford (President & CEO, First Liberty Institute), called Model Rule 8.4 a “clear and extraordinary threat to free speech and religious liberty… an unprecedented violation of the First Amendment…  [that] could lead to the automatic disbarment of attorneys and judges… banning that lawyer from earning a living as a lawyer.”   http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/08/attorney-general-meese-lawyers-rule-fascist-anti-christian/  [Click “letter” link in paragraph 1 to download full text of the letter.]

Despite protest, the ABA adopted Model Rule 8.4. Meese’s subsequent rebuke in the Washington Times labeled ABA’s “un-American censorship regime [as] beyond draconian; it coerces conformity regarding religious and political beliefs on a level unprecedented in American history… border[ing] on fascism.” ABA leaders’ statements verified they both understood — and intended — such ramifications of Model Rule 8.4.  https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/17/how-the-lawyers-plan-to-stifle-speech-and-faith/

What’s the best way to stifle speech and faith in a culture — make it illegal for even lawyers to hold or espouse the “offensive” beliefs?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.

2 Comments

  • Carolyn Van Ooteghem says:

    Thanks, Diana. I hadn’t heard of this. This is absolutely outrageous intrusion into privately owned businesses! I hope they will suffer consequences of overstepping their boundaries.

    • Diana Furr says:

      Amen, sister. Yet that’s the funny thing about boundaries… They have a way a changing, if no one objects when someone else moves them. Amen? Maybe that’s why the Lord exhorts us to watch… and pray… and put on our full armor, so that in the day of evil we can TAKE OUR STAND. Amen? (Ephesians 6:10-20) Taking a stand is risky, to be sure… but what do we risk losing if we don’t?

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