Structural Violence and Divine Law as “Eternal Evidence” Under the Constitution

NEW ZEN NEWS REPORTS ™️
Your Honor,
This letter respectfully submits that the constitutional mandate to “establish Justice” (Preamble, U.S. Constitution) requires reconciling positive law with transcendent moral principles, as reflected in the “eternal evidence” of divine law. The following case law and theological framework illustrate how structural violence—akin to the systemic idolatry condemned in Revelation 13—violates both the Constitution and the “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence, 1776).

I. Legal and Theological Foundation

1. The “Laws of Nature” as a Constitutional Compass​
   The Founders recognized unenumerated rights rooted in “self-evident” truths
   (Declaration of Independence). Courts have acknowledged moral reasoning as inherent to judicial duty:
   ●​ Calder v. Bull, 3 U.S. 386 (1798): Justice Chase held that “acts contrary to the great first principles of the social compact” (e.g., natural law) are void, even if legislatures enact them.
   ●​ Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015): The Court invoked “transcendent imperatives” of dignity and equality, aligning with the divine mandate to “love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:39).
2. Structural Violence as a Constitutional Injury​
   Systemic inequity violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Courts have condemned systems perpetuating “badges of slavery” (Jones v. Alfred H. Mayer Co., 392

U.S. 409 (1968)) and “invidious discrimination” (United States v. Carolene Products Co., 304 U.S. 144 (1938)).
●​ Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 529 (2013) (Ginsburg, J., dissenting): Warned that gutting the Voting Rights Act would entrench systems “contrary to our sacred obligation to ensure the dignity of all.”
●​ Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954): Held segregation violates Equal Protection, affirming that legalized hierarchies contradict “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14), which dignifies all persons.

II. Case Law and Divine Law Parallels

1. Economic Exploitation (Revelation 13:16-17)​
   The “mark of the beast” mirrors predatory capitalism that subverts human dignity: ●​ Lochner v. New York, 198 U.S. 45 (1905): The Court’s laissez-faire reasoning (later repudiated) allowed exploitative labor conditions. Contrast with West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish, 300 U.S. 379 (1937), upholding minimum wage laws as aligning with “the common good,” a principle rooted in Aquinas’ divine natural law.
2. Judicial Mercy as Constitutional Duty​
   Courts must temper justice with equity (Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld, 420 U.S. 636 (1975)): ●​ Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972): Exempted Amish children from compulsory education laws, recognizing religious liberty as a “first cause” right under the Free Exercise Clause.
   ●​ Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010): Banned life sentences for juveniles, citing “evolving standards of decency” that reflect divine mercy (Micah 6:8).
   III. Remedial Framework
3. Equitable Relief Aligned with Divine Justice​
   Courts may order structural reforms to dismantle systemic harm:
   ●​ *Brown v. Board (1954): Mandated desegregation, a modern “Jubilee” (Leviticus 25) resetting unjust hierarchies.
   ●​ Rucho v. Common Cause, 588 U.S. _ (2019) (Kagan, J., dissenting): Compared partisan gerrymandering to “sin against democracy,” necessitating judicial intervention.
4. Diplomatic Language in Judgments​
   Courts must “speak truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15):

●​ Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003): Struck down sodomy laws while affirming human dignity, modeling ambassadorial grace.
●​ Bostock v. Clayton County, 590 U.S. _ (2020): Interpreted “sex discrimination” under Title VII to protect LGBTQ+ employees, fulfilling the 14th Amendment’s promise.

Conclusion

The Constitution’s moral fabric demands judicial fidelity to principles “written on the heart” (Romans 2:15). Structural violence—whether economic, racial, or
ideological—corrodes the “more perfect Union” envisioned by the Founders and the divine Logos. This Court, as an “ambassador of heaven’s justice,” is implored to heed these precedents and remedy systemic harm with truth, equity, and mercy.

Respectfully submitted to US Courts,
Joshua Haltom (Josiah, sui juris, pro se)

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