Wanted: Judges like Solomon

Why should candor and common sense be elusive? | Joel Belz

When I took on the assignment of reporting to you the story of a recent federal court case in which an Iowa prison ministry was ruled unconstitutional, I knew I'd have to end up both a straight newsman (see "Handcuffing prisons") and a columnist (right here).

Some folks argue that nobody should try to fill both pairs of shoes on the same story. I think I understand the dangers. But I also think there's certain value in your getting both the story and the commentary from someone who has done his homework.

I came to this assignment with some built-in biases. I've had great appreciation through the years for the work of Prison Fellowship; we at WORLD have long considered the folks at PF allies in the effort to promote Christian worldview thinking. And I've often had disdain for the activities of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (the group that sued Prison Fellowship) and their out-of-balance zeal to erase from the public square almost every vestige of Christian expression.