Sarah Barringer Gordon

In the Media: Sarah Barringer Gordon

Two faithful Mormons -- an interrogator and a government attorney -- reached very different conclusions of conscience about torture. "Only the pacifists really shine at moments like these," says Sarah Barringer Gordon, a constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She says Mormon players in President Bush's torture program are being singled out unfairly. "This looks like the actions of people, Mormons as well as others, who made enormously dangerous and inhumane mistakes about what our national policy should be," Gordon says. "The media is isolating a few individuals and the issue is swirling around them relentlessly." (4/28/2009). Salt Lake Tribune.
The blasphemy laws that remain on the books in several states are “arcane and rarely enforced,” said Penn Law Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon. But they do provide states with a “symbolic power” of moral condemnation, as well as the prospect of actual punishment. (3/20/2009). New York Times.
A lawsuit filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation to prohibit Colorado's governor from attending National Day of Prayer festivities is not likely to succeed unless there is evidence that the governor has used his position to advance a particular religious agenda or attempted to proselytize, says Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon. (12/15/2008). Los Angeles Times.
On the Proposition 8 vote in Califonria, "I think it's really important ... not to let this become a claim that Mormons are the reason for everything that went wrong, on the one hand, or one that falls into a knee-jerk 'This is just anti-Mormonism' reaction. Because each of those are toxic," says Sarah Gordon, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on the Mormon church. (11/13/2008). Christian Science Monitor.
Law and History Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon addresses the issues related to governments dealing with polygamists. "They definitely were trying to open lines of communication. And they would very much like to have these people become integrated into the society," noting that in many cases the groups have been wary. (4/27/2008). The Washington Post.
Law and History Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon discusses presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s speech about his Mormon faith (12/7/2007). Chicago Tribune .
"The reaction really is proof that his presence and the presence of the religion itself is important," she said. "You only get this criticism when you matter," says Law and History Professor Sarah Gordon in response to Mitt Romney's candidacy. (5/12/2007). Salt Lake Tribune .
Law and History Professor Sarah Gordon comments about the faith-based case before the U.S. Supreme Court, "This is about getting in the door ...It's about whether you have enough going on to get your day in court." Chicago Tribune (2/28/2007). Article.
Law and History Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon comments how the National Portrait Gallery's revised captions restore a focus on Mormonism as a religious movement and correct earlier factual errors. Salt Lake Tribune. (9/18/2006). Article.
According to Law and History Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon, "Many contemporary Mormons complain that everybody associates them with polygamy, and in fact they're the most antipolygamy people you could meet," in response to the arrest of the leader of a polygamist Mormon sect. The New York Times. (8/30/2006). Article - Requires Westlaw sign on - Citation #2006 WLNR 14995796.
Penn Law announces seven new chair appointments: Matthew D. Adler, Leon Meltzer Professor of Law; Howard F. Chang, Earle Hepburn Professor of Law; Cary Coglianese, Edward B. Shils Professor of Law and Professor of Political Science; Jacques deLisle, Stephen Cozen Professor of Law; Sarah Barringer Gordon, Arlin M. Adams Professor of Constitutional Law and Professor of History; Michael Knoll, Theodore K. Warner Professor of Law and Professor of Real Estate; and Amy Wax, Robert Mundheim Professor of Law. (7/5/2006).
Professor Sarah Gordon will moderate Jon Meacham's book discussion, American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers and the making of a Nation, at the National Constitution Center on June 14 at 6:30 p.m. (6/8/2006). More Information.
Law and History Professor Sarah Barringer Gordon comments, "Before World War I, all the interesting 'free speech' cases were about blasphemy." The Washington Post (2/18/2006). Article.

In the Media: Sarah Barringer Gordon

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