Law students discuss separation of religion and law

“Judges follow the law, not the cross.” \nJudge Marc Kellams quoted a colleague Thursday in a story he told at a panel discussion on religion and law to express his opinion on combining the two concepts.\nLaw students gathered in the Moot Court Room in the law school to discuss with lawyers and judges the connection between their religion and profession. \nLegal Christian Fellowship and the J Reuben Clark Legal Society, two law school student organizations, brought together a panel of professional lawyers and judges with diverse religions.\n“(Religion and law) has always been important to me,” said Legal Christian Fellowship member Zac Kester. “Just seemed like (it) would be relatively fun.”\nThe panel included four members from various Indiana organizations: Kellams, a Catholic and Monroe County Circuit Judge; Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations and visiting professor Feisal Istrabadi, a Muslim who helped draft the Iraqi Transitional Constitution; Abigail Kuzman, an Evangelical Christian who is the founder and executive director of the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic; and Christopher Newton, chief judge of the Vigo County Indiana Courts who is a Mormon.\nThe discussion began with moderator and professor Daniel Conkle asking participants to state their stance on religion in law. \nLaw students Leslie Ransdell and Eric Smith both said they attended the event to hear what each panelist had to say about the topic.\nKellams said although his values and religion have molded who he is, he would not talk about religion in court.\nIstrabadi said at times, it is hard to keep religion out of practicing the law, but ultimately people who practice the law must follow the rules and keep religion out of their profession. \nIstrabadi said he wished religion would have been put into the Iraqi constitution. \nThe Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic was founded through a church to give people legal advice. Thus, Kuzman said her situation is a bit different. \nKuzman said she sometimes prays with her clients, but always asks beforehand. However, Kuzman said that overall, religion should be left out of law.\nNewton said religion was a big part of his life, but like the rest of the panelists, he agrees it has to be kept out of the law.\nThe moderator then asked panelists if they believe lawyers should only give legal advice or if they should also give moral advice. \nNewton admitted that it has been hard not to give moral advice. Still, all of the panelists agreed there must be a boundary line between lawyers and their clients that includes limitations on giving personal advice.\nKellams said lawyers and judges should not try to eliminate their religion completely from their lives. He gave examples of how he still fulfills his religious needs outside the courtroom. \nAttendees were able to ask questions for about half an hour. Many people asked about theories or if the judges have personally dealt with discrimination after people knew their religion. \nLaw student Meaghan Klem said she was relieved to hear what the panelists had to say.\n“Overall, I thought it was good,” Klem said. “And liked that things (are) secular, but you can still bring your religion to the profession.”