In Honor of one of my Teachers

There has been a big fuss recently regarding a cross in the middle of the Mojave desert. To see it you would have to drive quite a distance from any city. The cross was erected to honor some WWII soldiers that died. The complaint, by a few, is that the cross is on government and therefore violates the separation of church and state.

I will begin by pointing out that I am a Christian. Now you know my bias. Alas, I do not include my bias in my understanding of the constitution. One of my professors was a true gentleman named Robert L. Cord. He was a great scholar of the constitution and wrote on it's meaning. He took the position that the constitution and the founding fathers did not prevent any spiritual beliefs. Oh, he was not religious and did not believe in God. In fact, I cannot say for sure if he was an atheist although we discussed such things. He was honest in his intellect.

I can say that I learned much from him and truly enjoyed his company. What he taught me helped me later to graduate Law School and receive the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law. I miss him and his teachings. I wish to honor him by showing that I heard and passing his simple teachings on.

In regards to the cross on government property. Ladies and gentlemen, many a fine person is buried in government property. Should they be denied a cross above their final resting place? I think not. The founding fathers placed many a cross on government property to fallen soldiers, should they be removed? That is what Mr. Cord would ask.

Mr. Cord and I disagreed on prayer in school. He accurately proved that the constitution would allow it, he was not a Christian. I, as a Christian, stated that I did not want it in school because I did not want non-Christians teaching Christianity to my children nor did I want non-Christians to teach any religion to my children, I don't want the government teaching spiritual beliefs to anyone.

I am posting an article where Professor Cord completely destroys the arguments of a professor taking the opposing side. On occasion, I reflect upon the people who taught me to look at things in new ways. I was very blessed in my life to have such fine friends and teachers.

I am reminded on one day when Professor Cord invited myself and a couple of other students to his apartment to discuss the law. I was an undergraduate and very brash, I had opinions and argued them. Professor Cord sat us down and gave us some 25 year old scotch. It was too strong for me; but, what an honor to sit with the man in his home and discuss the law.

Sometimes I teach people. Usually in a work setting, Professor Cord thought I should become a teacher; but, stubborn me, I wanted to be a practitioner. Perhaps someday I will teach, we shall see. Whereas Professor Cord was more in agreement with Plato and Socrates, I am with Aristotle and Rousseau, I do not trust government or right thinkers.

I doubt anyone will bother reading the link; however, I want to put it there. I want to put it there in remembrance of someone who told the truth rather than justifying his beliefs. My hat is off to you Professor Cord. Thank you for your integrity.

Church and State