Hearing Games
The religion issue: Obama nominates a nice Jewish girl to Supreme Court
Jewish American Princeton graduate, former Harvard Law School dean and Solicitor General of the United States Elena Kagan may be among America's next top judges — a powerful move by Obama to steer the Supreme Court in a liberal direction. And while some media experts are focussing on the nominee's qualifications, the notion of religion is rising to the top of other pundits' priorities.
Kagan was raised on the largely Jewish Upper West Side of Manhattan, where her father was a trustee of the West End Synagogue. If her nomination is confirmed, Kagan will become the eighth Jewish justice in the Supreme Court's history, joining a lineup that includes two other Jewish justices and six Catholic members.
In a country populated by a majority who claim Protestant faith, the setup could incite controversy.
National Public Radio's Nina Totenberg termed it, "a radioactive subject."
Says Baylor University law professor Mark Osler, "In those areas where belief is going to inform a justice's principles, they should be open in letting the public know this. It should be part of the broader public discussion." Osler advocates for greater religious diversity on the court.
Jewish communities are also worried about potential stereotyping due to the nominee's religion: On the blog operated by the Westside Independent, anxiety has been expressed that the "popular stereotype about the Upper West Side as a haven for cheese-eating Socialists could become an issue."
However, profiles of Kagan speak to a politician more interested in building bridges with conservatives — a professional who avoids divisive politics and the notion of religious affiliation.
In an ideal America, a Supreme Court justice's religion would be a moot point, but if last week's National Day of Prayer at Houston's City Hall illustrate anything, it's that church and state aren't always separated.
