There are still 25 prospective Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) candidates who could take soon-to-be retired Justice Anthony Kennedy’s place. While some of the top contenders have some controversial pasts, there’s one candidate we hope the Trump administration votes off the metaphorical island—seeing as they’re a part of a religious cult that’s basically synonymous with the Handmaid’s Tale.
Politico reports that Amy Coney Barrett, an experienced lawmaker, is one of the few Supreme Court Justice candidates to be shortlisted. Aside for her extensive background in law and politics, a New York Times article from Sept. 2017 notes that Barrett is allegedly affiliated with a religious cult that has some ideology that would make any dystopian novelist cringe.
According to the Times, the Appellate Court Judge Barrett is tied to a religious sect called People of Praise. On the surface, it seems like the organization is a Christian church; however, the Times notes that members of the group pledge a lifelong oath to the community as a whole and to one another. In other words, it’s a cult.
People of Praise notes that “many People of Praise members choose to make a lifelong commitment called a covenant. The covenant of the People of Praise is a promise of love and service to fellow community members and to God. This covenant is not an oath or a vow.”
By definition and religious definition, the term covenant often implies some form of formal binding oath, agreement or bond. Though People of Praise subtly suggests that not every member takes an oath to the covenant, and the vow itself is voluntary, covenant typically denotes some form of long-term agreement or agreement. But, that’s not the most bizarre pillars of the religious organization. Apparently, women members of People of Praise are called “handmaids.” Whereas, men in the organization are dubbed “head.” Beyond taking a hackneyed, authoritarian approach to family norms, these labels seem to exacerbate masochistic gender norms—seeing as the group basically reduces women to actual female servants.
Given the People of Praise’s sexist opinion of women members, some people might be leery that Barrett could have some internalized sexist ideologies of her own. However, that shouldn’t deter her from being a solid SCOTUS prospective.
After Democratic senator decried Barrett’s involvement with the People of Praise, Barrett defended her religion and her professional qualifications, The Daily Beast reports. “It’s never appropriate for a judge to impose that judge’s personal convictions, whether they arise from faith or anywhere else, on the law,” Barrett said.
Granted, Barrett surely can serve as the hypothesized newest SCOTUS member regardless of her religious background—even if it is a cult. But, this definitely could sway the Trump administration’s opinion as they get ready to give out their final rose as the admin searches for the most compatible Justice.