Changes

In the law, the slippery slope is when a court makes an exception that invites many more exceptions like it.  Or when a court creates a new constitutional right that invites many more new rights like it.

In the law, the slippery slope is when a court makes an exception that invites many more exceptions like it.  Or when a court creates a new constitutional right that invites many more new rights like it.

An example is when “free speech” protection was extended to obscenities.  In one case, a Vietnam protester wore a jacket in a courtroom that had an obscene word written on it, in reference to the draft.  He was convicted for disturbing the peace and he appealed his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.  He ultimately won on free speech grounds.  But once one protects obscenity as free speech, it became a slippery slope.  Once one obscenity is protected, then other obscenities inevitably follow?

An example is when “free speech” protection was extended to obscenities.  In one case, a Vietnam protester wore a jacket in a courtroom that had an obscene word written on it, in reference to the draft.  He was convicted for disturbing the peace and he appealed his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.  He ultimately won on free speech grounds.  But once one protects obscenity as free speech, it became a slippery slope.  Once one obscenity is protected, then many more obscenities inevitably follow,

This can also be seen in the Establishment Clause cases, such as the Ten Commandments case.  Some feel that Judge Roy Moore should have removed the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Supreme Court.  Though supportive of religion, they feel that a few citizens might have been offended by the display.  But that argument becomes a slippery slope.  Where does the purging of religion from public life stop?  Its logic requires purging all religious references from public life: “In God We Trust” from our coins, and “under God” from our pledge of allegiance.  Before long, society slides down to the bottom of the hill, and hostility to religion has triumphed.

This can also be seen in the Establishment Clause cases, where the Ten Commandments and other symbols of Christianity have been ordered by courts to be removed from public places.  This has become a slippery slope; where does the purging of religion from public life stop?  Its faulty logic leads to purging all religious references from public life: “In God We Trust” from our coins, and “under God” from our pledge of allegiance.  Before long, society slides down to the bottom of the hill, and hostility to religion has triumphed.

It is best to stay off the slippery slope.

It is best to stay off the slippery slope.