Freedom or Tyranny?

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." [First Amendment, US Constitution, 1787.]

"I, ________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." [Oath of office, Congress of the United States]

"[N]o religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States." [Article Six, US Constitution]

Would the grilling of a Supreme Court Nominee by a member of Congress on that Nominee's religious beliefs fall under the category of supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States, or bearing true faith and allegiance to the same? Certainly not. It clearly seems to me to be an example of prohibition of the free excercise of religion. It also flies in the face of Article Six.

But urged on by the MoveOn crowd, other extreme leftist organizations/contributors, and their own sense of the Senate's "advise and consent" requirements, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, and New York Senator Chuck Schumer may try to do just that to Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts -- attempt to discredit the nominee for his religious beliefs. Just because Roberts is a Catholic. Just because he is a Conservative. Must be an extremist religious nut case.

Easy, Senators, you complain tirelessly about those you disagree with "shredding the Constitution", or "trampling on our rights". Well if you go there, you're about to do just what you claim to deplore. I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, I hope the general public will see this sort of tactic for what it is.

UPDATE: [10:51am July 27] Added link to today's NEW YORK SUN editorial, "The Religious Test". For further background.

UPDATE: [12:01am July 28] Added references to Article 6, US Constitution.