A judge is someone who is supposed to have high moral standing. Although they do not have to be perfect, they must be close to it. They also should be responsible in wielding their power.
However, Alabama senatorial candidate Roy Moore may have been morally corrupt before becoming a judge.
Five women accused the former judge of sexual assault when they were teenagers and he was a prosecutor, according to Jonathan Martin and Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times. The allegations come four weeks before the election for an Alabama senate seat in Washington D.C.
In an extensive report by Stephanie McCrummen, Beth Reinhard and Alice Crites for The Washington Post, there was definitely inappropriate behavior toward the young girls by Moore, who was 32 at the time. The women were flattered at the time, but now feel disgusted a man so old would want to take teenagers out on dates, which he frequently did.
Despite these claims, Moore may still receive support from evangelicals.
According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 72 percent of evangelicals believe elected officials who have committed immoral acts in their personal life can still perform their political duties in an ethical manner.
The Republican party is supported by a majority of white evangelicals. However, there should be extreme caution in cases involving sexual assault because of the severity of the issue.
This will raise questions for evangelical voters: is worth supporting someone who may advocate the protection of their beliefs at the expense of ruining their image if the allegations are true?
The GOP is definitely weighing their options as these accusations come at a horrible time, four weeks before the election. If the accusations are true, the GOP will surely see him removed from the U.S. Senate if he wins.
In the history of the U.S., 15 people have been expelled from the Senate. 14 were from the Civil War era, according to Jessica Estepa from USA Today, and there have been a few who have resigned before expulsion. If Moore is elected, and the allegations are true, the Senate must vote a two-third majority to expel him.
Amidst the sexual assault allegations in Hollywood, victims are hopefully feeling comfortable coming forward and telling their stories. Perhaps there is a chance to create a space free of judgment for victims to share their stories, or maybe one already exists, like a church.
Whether he is guilty or not, this is an opportunity for evangelicals to give the victims of sexual assault a safe space, allowing them to come forward. The sooner this happens, the more likely the justice system can reach a verdict.
A line has to be drawn on when it is acceptable to break away from partisanship for the sake of your party winning and alleged sexual assault.