The Right to Privacy

I watched much of the John Roberts confirmation hearings and found them incredibly instructive. I sat amazed as Democrats who talked openly about the importance of a right to privacy in the Constitution did everything in their power to break through the judicial demeanor of the nominee in order to invade his right to privacy. Biden, Fienstein, Kennedy, Durban, Schummer, and Leahy - all concerned about the private thinking of a man who promised to do legal thinking without trying to prejudice his views with personal issues and private thinking. He would think about the Law - that was his job and his commitment. Still, it was not enough. It was as if they were playing some kind of game that he would fall into. They would trap him by baiting him into discussing things that they said they needed - and if he talked about them he would be disqualifying himself for the very position he was nominated to fill. And if he answered in ways they didn't like, they would pounce on his answers as reasons to disqualify him.
Over the course of 30 years of ministry I have watched as people have come alongside pastors, leaders, workers in the church and sought to build confidences. They have assured them of their faithfulness as friends and assured them that they would not reveal what they know. Yet, time after time, they have used what they know (usually by putting it in a different context to make it look bad) to discredit pastors, leaders, and workers in the Kingdom. How sad. Even pastors have a right to privacy. Every Sunday the preacher stands up and tells the congregation what he/she believes, is thinking, and is contemplating. Amazingly, such candor is often the same thing that is used against him to say he is unqualified. Even leaders have a right to privacy. You can keep your counsel confidential even as you keep the information shared with you about other's lives confidential. Yet, there are some who will use anything at their disposal to try and discredit even those who volunteer their time and energy in the service of the Master.
I would confirm Judge Roberts without question. I do not pretend to understand all that is discussed by the leaders at the Senate table. I am not a lawyer or legal scholar. But I would confirm anyone who realizes that the right to privacy is not there to hide your views but to assure others that their views will not be compromised by me. God bless Judge Roberts and the honorable court on which he will serve.