NationStates Jolt Archive


Supreme Judiciary Rules on Religious Statements.

Ilek-Vaad
16-09-2004, 17:46
LNS , Lassic, Ilek-Vaad

The Supreme Judiciary today ruled on a case brought by the People of Ilek-Vaad against Sir Valdemar Ishring, Minister of Technology. In his now infamous speech against the Democratic Dutch Republics current Prime Minister Sir Valdemar likened the DDR to the Inquisition operating in 'Eru's' name. The speech led to a vote of no confidence in the V.L.P. Government and to the coalition government between the Sir Valdemar's P.R.P. and the centrist R.O.P.


The controversial speech in it's entirety:

May Eru's blessing, be on us all.

"May it be on the Columbians, and then on Tanah Burung, and then who else? I supported removing our nation from KIST, it does not serve us. I support condemning Knootian imperialism, it does not serve us. I ask what is Eru's blessing? Order? Stability? At what cost? Do the Columbians have to pay with their lives to receive Eru's blessing? How much human sacrifice should we tolerate? Let The honourable Prime Minister of Knootoss offer her own life on Eru's alter, we will have none of it, and it should not be forced upon the free People of Columbia!

"Does the inquisition of Knootian and Chimean intelligence receive Eru's blessing? What abuses do they commit for the good of Columbia? Lady Nos Cirdan rushes to save the Columbians from themslves, like the inquisition once rushed to Lassic to save us from ourselves!

"Now , the Democratic Dutch Republic condemns Tanah Burung for 'allowing' it's citizens to smuggle weapons into Columbia!? Every nation on the planet has citizens that break laws in other nations, why are these not grounds for condemnation?Why is it only condemned when it serves Knootoss? Much evil is done by 'messiahs' in the name of divinity.

Lady Nos Cirdan seems to think her mandate and her power comes from Eru, she has forgotten the true power here on earth. The Power of the People!

It now seems that our First Republican thinks that maybe HIS power lies with Knootoss? He now wants us to support a foreign regime, contrary to our very basic ideals?

Velite General Yash Ihsan explained the legal basis that led Velite Prosecutors to move to charge Sir Valdemar Isring in infringing on the Absolute Seperation between Churh and State.

"The speech was definently anti-religion, and was done to draw attention to religious comments made by the Knootian Prime Minister. However Sir Valdemar attacked a religion by name, the Longeavi* religion and their 'God' Eru.

The constitution clearly states that 'No public servant may comment directly upon religion or religious matters.' We have always assumed that meant positive comments, evangelising using public office. I and my lead prosecutors believed that this worked both ways. A public official openly attacking a religion could have a negative effect on those people's religious freedom, just as positive comments could give precedence for a 'state sanction' on a particular religion."

The courts agreed with prosecution and earlier today Sir Valdemar was found guilty of a misdemeanor violation of Infringing on the Seperation of Church and State. The Supreme Judiciary gave a moderate sentence of a 700,000DR fine and 1 year probation. If Sir Valdemar were to break his probabtion he would be removed from office.

Sir Valdemar briefly spoke with the press,

"I don't think my comments were illegal, I was attacking what the Knootians were doing and saying, and giving it context. I will however abide by the Supreme Judiciary and pay my fine and do my probation. I will also temper my comments in the future so as not to damage the People's freedom of religion."


*OOC Note: Longeavi is the Lassean word for what we would call a Tolkienian elf. The only other term used to describe 'Elf' is 'Ylf' which refers to malicious genii locus and their associated nature spirits. In Ilek-Vaad using 'Ylf' to refer to a 'Longeavi' would be insulting.
Knootoss
20-09-2004, 00:20
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Talking heads, a KNN World News show
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“So please tell me, Prime Minister, how do you feel about the recent court case of Sir Valdemar? Was it a satisfactory ending for you?”

“I usually do not comment on court cases, especially not when they involve foreign politicians.”

“But this involved you too, did it not? It was a very personal attack.”

“It is a Vaadian domestic matter. As I am the head of Knootian government I will say nothing of it.”

“But you *personally*, Madam Prime Minister, your position aside?”

“Well… I disagreed with what the speech said. I did not feel that it overstepped any boundary. To suggest that the DDR is a state controlled by religious principles is, well…”

“I understand. Did you feel that your religious freedom was attacked.”

“Not at all. I believe in freedom of speech. Worse things have been said about me and I think it mostly reflects on those who are saying it.”

“Thank you, Madam, now about recent Lietuv intervention….