It was an unfortunate day for a Mr. Ruggles when on Sept. 2, 1810 he imbibed too freely at Salem, New York and did “wickedly, maliciously and blasphemously utter, and with a loud voice” blasphemous words against the Christian religion. His case finally came before Chancellor James Kent and the New York Supreme Court where his penalty by a lower court of $500 with three month’s imprisonment was upheld. In handing down his historic decision Judge Kent saw important legal reasons for upholding Christianity.
Citing a previous case of Rex vs. Woolston the Chancellor declared that “whatever strikes at the root of Christianity tends manifestly to the dissolution of civil government.” He saw the need of protecting the Christian religion as of immense value to the American republic. “We stand equally in need, now as formerly,” he declared, “of all the moral discipline, and of those principles of virtue, which help to bind society together. The people of this state, in common with the people of this country, profess the general doctrine of Christianity, as the rule of their faith and practice; and to scandalize the author of these doctrines, is not only in a religious point of view, extremely impious, but, even in respect to the obligation due to society, is a gross violation of decency and good order.” In concluding, the Court stated that it had no objection to any one’s religious opinions, but regarded the profanation of Christ another matter. This offense, it declared, “strikes at the root of moral obligation and weakens the security of social ties.”
Read More