What do you know about Elena Kagan ?

Today Elena Kagan was sworn in as the 112th justice of the Supreme Court.

She's replacing John Paul Stevens; Stevens politics tended toward the liberal. She's the fourth woman to be on the court, and just for that, I want to like her. But I hate to admit to the fact that I know very little about her. So today I'm on a fact finding mission and figure I'll share my findings with you:

• She's 50 years old
• She's a former Harvard Law School dean-These are some things I found out about her activities whole at Harvard:
  
• She encouraged Harvard Law students to get involved in homosexual activist legal work. She considered this public interest law and encouraged students to become involved so they could gain clinical experience. The Harvard Law School established the LGBT Law Clinic during this time.
  
• She recruited a former ACLU lawyer William Rubenstein to teach "queer" legal theory. Rubenstein described one of his courses as taking up of "newer identities (bisexualty, trans, gender[f_ _ k])." as well as involving "polygamy, S&M [sadomasochism], the sexuality of minors."
  
• She was actively involved in advocacy opposing "Don't ask Don't Tell". She agreed to ban military recruiters from campus.
  
• She spearheaded the “Islamic Finance Project,” a program aimed at mainstreaming Sharia-compliant finance in America.
  
• She condoned the acceptance of $20 to fund programs on Islam. This money came from Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal; Talal was known for his statements to the fact that the attacks of 9/11 were a result of American foreign policy.
  
• She awarded the Harvard Medal of Freedom to Iftikhar Chaudhry, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Many say Chaudhry is a is a promoter of Sharia.
• From 1995 to 1999, Kagan served as President Bill Clinton's Associate White House Counsel and Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Deputy Director of theDomestic Policy Council. While in this position she did the following:
  
• In a 1996 White House document, Kagan grouped the National Rifle Organization together with the Ku Klux Klan as bad guy organizations.
  
• Engaged in several pro-late-term abortion pursuits.
  

As I read though this list I feel sad. I feel like I see the world quite differently than Elena Kagan; and the ways are things I feel passionately concerning. I'm reminded of a verse in 1 Peter 2:10 - 12 where Peter was talking to those who are following after God and declares that they are strangers and aliens living in this world.

Although there are some who feel that Christians should refrain from politics I've never understood this train of thought. To my mind, politics are very much the business of living. It's recorded in Matthew 5:13-15 that Jesus told His followers that they are to live in this world but are to portray His Kingdom through their lives.

But as I'm here thinking about this there are two questions that come to my mind; do I really oppose Kagan's politics because I'm a Christian, and how can I act like a Christian toward those with whom I disagree. I want to briefly give a few thoughts on those questions and then I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Another way to state my first question is to ask if Christians can be pro late term abortion, pro Sharia law, pro the Gay and Lesbian political agenda, and lump the National Rifle Association (NRA) with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Obviously, I am personally extremely conservative in my political views. I am a Christian and I hold these views, however, I suppose another Christian could hold different views than my own. Especially with regard to the Gay and Lesbian agenda; a Christian could state that we should love everyone and let everyone practice their own life style. While I agree with that, I am still concerned about this group's continual efforts to promote their lifestyle in the public education arena. I'd rather the public school arena leave these sorts of issues with the family. I think lumping the NRA in with the KKK is way too extreme to be intelligent, although not distinctively non-Christian. I have a much more difficult time with defending the pro late term abortions and Sharia law from a Christian Perspective.

The second question seems to me to boil down to the issue of respect. I believe I can disagree with someone and still behave respectfully toward them. I'm reminded of how in Philippians 4:4-5 Christ's followers are encouraged to live a lifestyle in which they make it clear to those with whom they come in contact that they are on their side. I do not believe that this is in any way saying that we are to be agreement with everybody; rather, that we are to be pro-people. I see scripture teaching that we are to love, and be helpful toward people, want the best for people, even when we do not agree with them.

What about you, how do you see these issues? Can a Christian be committed to the "liberal agenda"? How can you behave in a Christian manner toward those with whose politics you vehemently disagree?





FYI - My sources of information:

• Kagan sworn in as fourth woman on Supreme Court
• In Support of Elena Kagan
  
• Elena Kagan's 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Sharia Policy
• Critics allege Elena Kagan is sympathetic to Sharia Law
• Human Rights Campaign Endorses Solicitor General Elena Kagan for Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
• Senate confirms Elena Kagan but same sex marriage debate looms
  
• Elena Kagan's radically pro-homosexual, pro-transsexual, record at Harvard Law School
• Eleana Kagan: Will she tolerate Sharia?
• Egyptian Coptic Christians beg Senators
• Kagan Ignored Medical Group's Opinion
• Elena Kagan