Quote Originally Posted by Idaho View Post
One of the things I can never square with the religious is that there is an arbitrary line drawn by each religious person between "god's will", "me following god's will", "me interpretting god's will". What this basically means is that a religious person can do nothing, choose to do something with doctrinal justification, choose to do something with general justification. All the while claiming that god is responsible for it all.
There is? I thought is was the opposite, the line is almost impossible to see. Maybe you should try talking to Christians that aren't from Belmont Chapel and don't stand in the middle of the High Street on a saturday with a megaphone.

Quote Originally Posted by Andres View Post
I think you're missing my point.

The impartiality of the judge is a fundamental principle of your legal system. Even appearing to be not impartial is enough to be problematic and make the judgement invalid (at least, that's how it is in Belgium). This judge at least appears to be biased and prejudiced. I take it you don't want biased judges.

I also fail to see why he needs to refer to God and religion in the motivation of his judgement. The only motivations should be legal ones, not religious. I hope you can see the dangers of bringing religion as a law making factor into your judicial system. If that's something that wouldn't make you feel uncomfortable, then there's probably no point for us to discuss this together.
My Judicial system is ultimately overseen by a theocratic monarch, perhaps you are thinking of the American legal system?

Regardless, I see no evidence that the Judge used Christianity in his judgement any more than you would expect (to expect anyone not to apply their principles to judgements is absurd). I assume the conviction came from a jury trial, and the comments from the Judge are from his public delivery of of his judgement, when he addressed the convicted.