Talk of the Town

By Joanie

June 27, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t make sense to have the 10 Commandments displayed in any government office or courtroom. Display them only in a church. There should be complete SEPARATION of Church and State.

By Richard Walker

June 27, 2005 01:05 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we just go ahead and ban the public display of any groups beliefs, be it religious or not.
This would include church displays, political displays, pro or anti abortion displays, and pro or antigay displays. This list could go on and on because we are so easily offended.
By we, I mean the one or two people who start these ignorant court cases, and decide for us what we can and cannot see.
Because of these one or two people, we no longer see Huck Finn or other “offensive” books in our school libraries. Because of these one or two, we have to place “Evolution is just a theory” stickers in our children’s textbooks. When will it stop? I have a great idea, since we as a country are offended by so many things, why don’t we just throw out common sense and decency. Oh yea, I forgot, we already have, and it didn’t take the Supreme Court to do it.

By TC Ryker

June 27, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this

Displaying the Ten Commandments is appropriate if the display is next to those of other religions. If there are no non-Christian religions shown, then none should be.

By Ron

June 27, 2005 01:21 PM | Link to this

Why has this become an issue in recent years. For the first 200 years of our democracy, there was prayer in school, ten commandments displayed prominently and proudly. Our forefather’s never meant to take prayer out of schools or displays of the ten commandments out of government buildings. Why, in recent years have the courts started ruling this way? We have always taken pride in “God and Country” in that order. So why now is this a problem. The whole purpose of the separation of church and state is to be sure one religion did not rule the country and destroy our religious freedoms. Wake up everyone. If I am not mistaken every session of Congress begins with a prayer. What is the difference between that and schools or courtrooms. We live in a democracy, where the majority rules. Just because a few complain doesn’t mean we stop doing what is right, and what our country was founded on.

By Dick

June 27, 2005 01:21 PM | Link to this

If we must have separation of church and state, let me ask you why was the Black Caucus of Georgia which was being led by several black senators and representatives touring the State of Georgia pertaining to the Voter ID bill meeting in CHURCHES. Are they separating church and state, think not. People use separation of church and state only when they need point in arguing.

By Brison

June 27, 2005 01:43 PM | Link to this

Why not leave the 10 Commandments in the Court Houses that already have them posted? It is a reflection of the good old days when we had less crime. What’s the worst that could happen if society took the 10 Commandments to heart? Maybe crime would plummet and lawyers & the courts would be in extreme surplus. Hhmmm…..

The 10 Commandments are not intimidating, nor offensive in comparison to what trots through the “hallowed” court house doors. I am, however, offended by the molesters, killers, and drug dealers that flood our court system, and the legal system that turns criminals loose on society to repeat their crimes.

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this

I was very happy with the decision. It looks like people have forgotten that our country was founded by people who were leaving England because the separation of church and state did not exist anymore.

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 01:45 PM | Link to this

The evolution stickers were rightly taken off, too.

By deedubya

June 27, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this

Go ahead. Ban all you want. Put me in jail. I will still believe in God, no matter what. But, there will come a day……………

By Zach

June 27, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this

I was pleased with the Supreme Court Ruling on the Ten Commandments Displays at courthouses. I hope we get a movement started to put Ten Commandments monuments in front of all county and city courthouses in Georgia. I bet we can get the vast majority of Georgia citizens to support this idea.

By The Truth

June 27, 2005 01:50 PM | Link to this

The Ten Commandments should not be displayed at any government building or a church for that matter.

It amazes me how ignorant most of you are.

The Ten Commandments were given to the Hebrew people….Remember Moses. Read about it in Exodus 20th chapter.

Most of you all that’s complaining about it are Gentiles. The Law was not given to you. Half of you all are hypocrites anyway. I bet you can’t even recite all ten of them. How many of you all are truly living a life based on the Ten Commandments. I’m including you government officials. If you go within yourself, you know I’m telling the truth. Everyone was afraid to say it. But I’m not!!!

Everyday in this newspaper there is some scandal going on in metro Atlanta involving our city, county and state leaders. Why even have them displayed if they are not even practiced?

By the way, it wasn’t just Ten Commandments that the Hebrews lived by, if you keep reading past Exodus, you will see there were various laws they had to abide by. Here’s one: An eye for an eye. I bet if we would use that one, many things that go on in this state would cease. But the hypocrites only choose the easy laws. It’s easy not to lie, steal or even commit adultery. Or maybe it’s difficult because there’s so much lying, stealing and cheating going on.

Wake up people!!!

By Veronica Phillips

June 27, 2005 02:02 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t have said it any better. Thank you Ron - and here is Ron’s comment AGAIN!!!

By Ron

June 27, 2005 01:21 PM

Why has this become an issue in recent years. For the first 200 years of our democracy, there was prayer in school, ten commandments displayed prominently and proudly. Our forefather’s never meant to take prayer out of schools or displays of the ten commandments out of government buildings. Why, in recent years have the courts started ruling this way? We have always taken pride in “God and Country� in that order. So why now is this a problem. The whole purpose of the separation of church and state is to be sure one religion did not rule the country and destroy our religious freedoms. Wake up everyone. If I am not mistaken every session of Congress begins with a prayer. What is the difference between that and schools or courtrooms. We live in a democracy, where the majority rules. Just because a few complain doesn’t mean we stop doing what is right, and what our country was founded on.

By Antoine du Gare

June 27, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this

Ridiculous:

Religion is a ridiculouis issue for the free world at this time. If god really existed, would we be killing innocent people in Iraq and having deemed enemies worshipping the likes of Sadam Hussein or Adolf Hitler?

If government spent more time being governmental rather than trying to be re-elected in the next vote, they could focus on improving the world and not catering to a group of backward right wing extremists that have no concept of the modern age.

But these are the same fools that are fighting the theories of evolution, what would one expect?

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 02:20 PM | Link to this

No one is saying you can’t believe in god.

By John

June 27, 2005 02:23 PM | Link to this

God has smiled on this great country for a long time. My prayers are that he will contiune to do so after so many reject his word.

By Max

June 27, 2005 02:33 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry to break this down to all the criticizers, but there is separation of church and state for a reason. Long ago, when people had to escape from one country to the next because of religious persecution, this nation’s forefathers had the insight and foresight to know that a lack of religious freedom and/or pushing one religion over another only caused problems and discord. It still holds true today. No matter how superior you think your religion is or your morals are, you simply don’t have the right to impose them on others. It’s that simple! Get over it. But i understand that people in the majority have a hard time giving up their perceived superiority and they definitely want to give it up w/o complaining. So i understand why some people are upset. And guess what, i’m not an atheist… and i do go to church. But i don’t feel like church and religion and all that should be all mixed up with government. It only leads to bad choices like Bush being re-elected.

By deedubya

June 27, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

Jennifer: Goverment is dictating every aspect of your life and you so no one is telling me i can’t believe in God. Tell me that in five years

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 02:45 PM | Link to this

With everything this country has done to other countries I strongly doubt ‘god’ has been smiling down on us.

By Bob

June 27, 2005 02:47 PM | Link to this

I agree that we should have seperation of church and state. This means that since most of our laws were based on the Ten Commmandments that all of our laws should be thrown out and we should start all over. The main problem will be what we base our new non-committal and politically correct laws on. Since Situational Ethics are based on the situation no laws would be permanent and only relevant ocassionally. Since we have thrown God out of schools and tried to throw God out of every day life we have suffered the consequences of violating the First Commandment. We should continue throwing God out of the USA untils God decides to throw us out. I would like to know where all these people believe that our freedom and blessings come from. They certainly aren’t because we deserve them. Please listen to people like Daryl Scott who spoke as the father of one of the victims of Columbine. The problems we have are because we keep trying to throw God out. Please, GOD don’t throw us out!

By Sandy

June 27, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this

Religion has been used by the Bush administration to divide our country.

By Cindy

June 27, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

This has nothing to due with seperation of Church and State. The whole country exists because of the Commandments. It has to do with TRUTH. ABSOLUTES. We cannot re-write history or change what works. Fortunately some Americans still have morals and ethics (not the supreme courts however). In the beginning….. and it will until the end. God set statutes and they will not be set aside without severe consequences. Believe it…. The law of gravity still exsists even if we wanted to change the law, so will GODS Laws still exist. Keep America blessed and uphold the Ten Commandments for the security, safety and Salvation of this nation. It has ensured our freedom. We see what happens when some misinformed individuals try to re-write the rules. There must be standards set or we WILL go into more intense trouble than we already have seen. Only in the last 50 yrs has the core of this nation began to unravel, Please do your part to ensure continued covering on the Nation for your grandchildren and others’.

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this

deedubya - with the bible thumping administration we have now I dont think you have to worry anyone telling you that you can’t believe in god. Besides, no one has told you that anyway. We’re just simply stating that it’s against the law to have the ten commandments placed inside courthouses.

By STEVE KANOUSE

June 27, 2005 03:13 PM | Link to this

The ten commandments should be allowed on any building. They are what our government is based on.
All that disagree needs to study some U.S. History

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 03:15 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that religion is what made it possible for the tragedies 9/11 to happen. All of those men thought they were going to heaven to see god. Don’t tell me how great god or religion is.

By mitch

June 27, 2005 03:31 PM | Link to this

I am always amazed at people who can’t grasp a simple concept. You either have separation of church and state or you have governmental control over what religion its citizens practice. That is fine as long as you happen to espouse to the “church of the state”. Just imagine if all fifty states could proclaim a state religion. California would be Scientology, New York might be Jewish, and good old Alabama could be rattlesnake Baptist. Of course if your job required you to move you would either have to change your religious philosophy or at least watch your tax dollars go to a church in which you didn’t believe. Lets say the state took 10% of your income to give to the Mormon church, that would stink if you happened to be good old southern Babtist. But if you got transferred to Utah guess what? Of course this would cause people to move to the state of their religion if possible. Hmmm, a whole state full of people thinking their religion is better than their neighboring states religion. Pretty soon they would have to fight it out to see whose right. Just like they do in the Mid-east everyday. Some of you idiots need to look at the big picture.

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this

Gee, and I thought all of our freedoms came from the Constitution.

By Debbie

June 27, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this

I disagree with the Kentucky decision and look forward to the old dinosaur liberal judges retiring so Bush can appoint conservative judges. The whole separation of church and state thing is blown out of proportion. I am tired of letting the minority have their way in this country. Polls show that 70 % beleive ten commandments should be allowed. Our forefathers did not intend for God not to be allowed in the classrooms or government buildings, they just intended that the federal government not have a favored religion like the Church of England.

By jeff

June 27, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this

For those of you who scream about “seperation of church and state”, I would like for you to show me those words in the Constituion. They do not exist. THe “Establishment Clause” dealt with an “official” church which received funds from the public treasuries. Our framers were trying to forbid the creation of another “Church of England” not the government banishing of God from all public domains.

By MC

June 27, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this

I’m kind of glad about the decision. Everything else is ok on government property so why not add religous things? I have my Bible at my desk and it doesn’t bother anyone, I hope. If it does, oh well.

By MC

June 27, 2005 04:04 PM | Link to this

The Truth, you must be in a sad state by the way you think. God is for everyone not just for the Hebrews. He saves all not some. And of course no one obeys all the Commandments; nobody is perfect. The only one that was perfect was Jesus and we are not him. Be realistic.

By Mara

June 27, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

Sheesh. Talk about ignorance…Bob, our laws are not “mostly based” on the 10 Commandments. Stealing and murder pretty much cover it. You can include perjury, since it’s lying. But just plain old lying isn’t illegal.
Some of you, like Ron, make a point that “for 200 years” etc etc etc. and try to say that this country was founded as a christian entity. WRONG! While the almighty was referenced in a generic way as “devine providence” and “our creator”, not once was Jesus mentioned, nor any of the christian denominations. As a matter of fact, it was a Baptist minister who begged reassurance from Jefferson that the church and the state would be forever seperated.
As for why now instead of years ago…Europe was the homeland of the majority of emigrants. Now it’s no longer true. Other faiths are now clamoring for their rightful due in a pluralistic and poly-religeous society. Get over it and obey Mathew 6:6-6 “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men….when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret….”

By gman

June 27, 2005 04:10 PM | Link to this

I’ll throw in my two cents. Though I am not a christian or believe in the bible, I have no trouble with having the ten commandments prominently displayed on the grounds of a courthouse. I don’t have a problem with a moral code such as, “thou shalt not steal” being displayed on a courthouse grounds.

Just my two cents

By Dick

June 27, 2005 04:22 PM | Link to this

Let’s see, if we must separate church and state, does this mean no more income taxes? Remember we have “In God we Trust” printed on the money we pay to our government.

By Dick

June 27, 2005 04:24 PM | Link to this

Let me ask those of you who do not believe in God.If you say there is nothing to this man called God, nor his son Jesus Christ, then why does the mere mention of their names cause people to become defensive. I know I sure am glad my name is written in the book of Life.

By Ron

June 27, 2005 04:29 PM | Link to this

I do not believe anyone is trying to pull the superiority card, just because they are in the majority. It sounds like to me some of you believe that if 100 people in one place want something and one other person wants something different, the we should all do what the one person wants. Guess what that is how you get a Saddam Hussein and an Adolph Hitler by letting one tell many how they should live. In reality, everything is over analyzed. For over 200 years we have not had any problems with these issues. They are the foundation on which the gretest country in the history of humankind is based on.You are telling me that just because there are the ten commandments in a court house that religion and governmnet are mixed and we will end up with religious persecution. That is so far fetched in today’s world. Basically you have people who want to do not believe in prayer in schools or God to tell us not to bless our children as they try to learn. If you do not want to pray, then don’t. That is your right. That is religious freedom. But do not tell the majority of people who believe that God exists and wants him to watch over their children and yours, they are wrong. Because you do not know the truth.

By Hasell Brown

June 27, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this

What the problem REALLY is is that people are prostelyzing their conservative belief systems in the attempt to stifle dissent. If one doesn’t believe in what the majority believes, they are labeled ‘anti….’, be it American, Bush, whatever. If I were Muslim, I’d worry about how I’m viewed in this nation; if I were Sikh or Hindu, I’d be careful about stating my religious beliefs in this country. The same thing that people are crying about now is the same thing that allowed thousands of African-Americans to be HANGED in the South, i.e., the belief that “I am better than you”. The separation of church and state isn’t the issue; it’s the separation of religious FUNDAMENTALISM from the state. What’s happening is that fundamentalism has become intertwined with the state….and the ideologies of the ‘30’s-‘60’s are returning. What EVERYONE should be afraid of is the erosion of our rights by the government in the guise of freedom. (Review George Orwell’s 1984 to see the point). If we aren’t careful, we will be ruled by Talibanic-type rulers….and we will have no say in matters!!

By Gerald

June 27, 2005 04:33 PM | Link to this

Let it go people! You’re free to believe what you want to believe already in this country. Take the signs down as a gesture of our new progressive way of thinking. This doesn’t minimize the importance of The Commandments, and you’re free to follow them if you like!

By David Heidlauf

June 27, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

The ten commandments have been a fundamental basis of law for nearly all nations in the civilized, which has spread since the time of Moses. Our country’s legal system was built upon these priciples, yet we are ready to ignore them. There are two things I find interesting about all of this: 1st, it seems that the further we move away from GOD the quicker and deeper our society has declined, and not just on a theological level but a just, morale, family-valued level. 2nd, it seems that all of the pols and surveys I have read seem to show that a majority of Americans lean towards keeping these symbols of law and justice in our court houses and public buildings, so…. who exactly has had the power to over-rule the voice of the American people? Why haven’t these pols and surveys done anything. As a nation, or so everyone is being led to believe, we may not want GOD in our society anymore. But, in the words of Joshua, “As for me my house, we will serve the Lord!” It is certainly time to contact your congressman if you have not already done so.

By Brent

June 27, 2005 04:42 PM | Link to this

The Ten Commandments are not just jewish law:

John 14: verse 15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

By learyest

June 27, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this

I was very happy with the decision. The ten commandments have no place in our government building (or outside of them) unless all other religions are represented as well. This country was founded on religious freedom for ALL; not just the freedom of the majority. If we display the ten commandments, we should also display the 8 precepts of Buddhism, Hiduistic proverbs, the Wiccan Rede, etc. EVERYTHING!

I hope the Christians understand that this ruling was not a slight to them. It was a ruling for the freedom of everyone. And for those touting prayers returning to the classroom and such, please explain how things have gotten worse without prayer? If I remember my American History correctly, we were lynching, killing, committing adultery, stealing, and coveting LONG before prayer was banned. Seems things were just as bad back then. We just know about more of it nowadays because of 24/7 newscasts and the Internet.

By Jennifer

June 27, 2005 05:12 PM | Link to this

in god we trust wasn’t on our money until 1955.

By Ron

June 27, 2005 05:14 PM | Link to this

Mara, you did not read what I wrote. I never once referred to our country being founded as a christian entity. I actually wrote “For the first 200 years of our democracy, there was prayer in school, ten commandments displayed prominently and proudly.” As a matter of fact one individual stated the these were Hebrew laws, that christians and other cultures adopted. Obviously, there are some paranoid people who feel that our government will be taken over by religion. I see no signs of that happening. I just believe that the courts are listening to the “squeaky wheels.” It still befuddles me, how the our courts in the entire history of our country never interpreted the constitution the way it is being interpreted today. So what you are saying is this court is superior to all of the other courts in our history. I think not! I do not believe the court today is really in touch with what our forefathers were trying to accomplish. Any one who is a student of American history knows that that taking the ten commandments out of govt buildings and prayer out of school was not what was intended. I believe there are more important matters before that court than changing what our founding father’s legacy.

By Darlene

June 27, 2005 05:21 PM | Link to this

DID YOU KNOW? As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world’s law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view … it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments! DID YOU KNOW? As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door. DID YOU KNOW? As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall, right above where the Supreme Court judges sit, a display of the Ten Commandments! DID YOU KNOW? There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C. DID YOU KNOW? James Madison, the fourth president, known as “The Father of Our Constitution” made the following statement: “We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” DID YOU KNOW? Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said: “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ”. DID YOU KNOW? Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777. DID YOU KNOW? Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies. DID YOU KNOW? Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law an oligarchy…. the rule of few over many. DID YOU KNOW? The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: “Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers.” How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional? Lets put it around the world and let the world see and remember what this great country was built on. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or “In God We Trust” on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don’t we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!

Chamber, US House of Representatives

By viktor

June 27, 2005 05:34 PM | Link to this

Out of all of these responses only a few seemed to be well-informed. I suggest that most of you boneheads, bone-up on American and Constitutional history so that you don’t come across as an illiterate moron. Find out what the Establishment Clause REALLY says and means. Read the Federalist Papers and find out what was going on in the 1770’s. Learn and understand that minority rights does not equal minority rule. Or, at least, it used to. Finally, if your elected official has been in office more than two terms, vote him out of office. It’s time to get rid of the professional politicians.

By Miss Kim

June 27, 2005 05:47 PM | Link to this

Religion and Christianity is two different issues, the saying to keep church and state separate is actually ignorant. Church is a building, being a Christian is a lifestyle and going to church is a place where we worship and fellowship. The state is a form of system that makes decisions for the people in the country, which requires alot of facts to makes wise decisions. In being a Christian we must walk by faith even as the money that prints “In God We TRust” there is a spiritual battle that we can’t see which causes so many individuals to become offended by their own opinions, when it takes alot of faith to be opened minded just to be able to respect anothers opinion, but as a Christian what ever decision that is made must be according to what has already been written “the Word of God”, which is the truth that can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit through receiving salvation. There are always going to be difference, but how we deal with them determines the goodness of our land.

By Loretta

June 27, 2005 06:18 PM | Link to this

Just wondering… if we are saying “Separation of Church and State”, why do we swear on the Bible in the court room?

By Randy

June 27, 2005 06:34 PM | Link to this

I say let’s stick with what has made the United States strong. That is a strong belief in God. Don’t go with weakness, there is no place where separation of Church and State is in the constitution. That is a myth.

By Randy

June 27, 2005 06:38 PM | Link to this

There are a few people who want to marry their dogs, maybe we should allow that also. You liberals are ignorant. The 10 commandments make people who use them stronger and countries who support them powerful.

By Charlie

June 27, 2005 06:39 PM | Link to this

I agree with the court’s decision. Any historical display on Gov. property can include the Commandments; some of our laws come from them. The Commandments do not belong in our State buildings. Everyone please remember that the Bible that most of us may read is “King James’ Version”, meaning it was how he wanted the scrolls interpreted. Imagine if he had wanted a different interpretation; where would we be?

By Moyra Knight

June 27, 2005 06:44 PM | Link to this

I think the 10 commendments should be allowed to be posted in the courtrooms as well as any public building, schools, or government building. It should be allowed to be in the lobby or outside. It is this Faith of Jesus Christ that our country was founded on and it should not be taken down or done away with. What are people thinking? God loves us. He in human form as Jesus Christ has died for us on a Cross. Yet, there are some that just want to throw out one of the important Christian documents. Does anyone have any idea that this country is blessed beyond belief because we are a country that for the most part believes in God and are trying to live a moral and decent life. We would be in a horrible fix if God was not on our side. Why should we not stand up for Him when He has never forgotten us and never will? The 10 Commandments on a wall or building is just a reminder to us all that we live in a free country and that it is based on God’s love and His Mercy. No one forget that. He loves us all and we should love Him back. Sincerely, Moyra Knight

By Nancy

June 27, 2005 06:52 PM | Link to this

Everyone talking about majority rule scares the H_ out of me. We are a Republic, not a democracy, and are ruled by laws, not the majority. You are confusing the election of officials by majority vote with majority rule, which by its most basic definition is mob rule. The mob is rarely prudent in its temper nor wise in its decisions. Beware of a desire for majority rule as it may come back to haunt you. On that day, when you are no longer in the majority and your basic rights to think, live, worship and apeak as you feel are trampled, you may long for the days of rule by law.

By Antione

June 27, 2005 07:33 PM | Link to this

The ten commandments should be displayed everywhere. WHo created this whole separation of church and state because truly it’s not in our constitution. The United States should return to it’s roots to reestablish morality. Our founding fathers used the Bible to create our laws and justice system. Another thing, why is everyone trying to confine the church to the four walls when the real ministry is in the streets and outside the four walls of the church. Jesus’ ministry was not in a building. He said go and make disciples of them, not stay in the church and watch the world go to hell.

By Amelia

June 27, 2005 08:54 PM | Link to this

It amazes me the number of people that mention “separation of church and state,” yet they have no true understanding of why this separation was made to begin with. Originally, the separation was made to protect the church from being invaded by the government, not to keep Biblical principles out of the government. America’s founding fathers built this country upon these Biblical principles; it is the slow deterioration of these principles that has led to the turmoil in today’s world. It also amazes me how many people get upset over the “evolution is a theory” stickers placed in textbooks. EVOLUTION IS A THEORY! There is no scientific evidence to support the idea of evolution. Not citing the fact that evolution is a theory is lying to students. People need to be more educated concerning these matters, especially the parents who voice complaints. And why, in a society where we are told to tolerate everything, is Christianity continually bashed? All other religions are to be tolerated and accepted, why is this?

By Lou

June 27, 2005 09:40 PM | Link to this

Do you think that the justices happened to see the 10 commandment tablets carved into the wooden doors leading inside the Supreme Court? Do you think the justices happened to look up on their inner court wall and see Moses carrying the 10 commandments inside their own Supreme Court? Do you think they happened to look up on the outside of their Supreme Court building and see Moses holding both tablets of the 10 commandments? Nah, I guess they missed all of that. It wasn’t important.

By Mike

June 27, 2005 09:42 PM | Link to this

Jennifer is truly ignorant, like most of the pro-Ten Commandments contingent. FYI, this country was not founded by the pilgrims! The Declaration of Independence was written well over a century after Plymouth colony was founded, and most of the founding fathers could hardly be described as puritans. Many weren’t even followers of the Christian faith.

There is a mention of a Creator in the Declaration, but the U.S. Constitution—which is the law of the land—avoids any endorsement of religion, and in fact, Article VI strictly bans religious tests for public office. Of course pointing that or the Establishment Clause out to someone who thinks the pilgrims founded the United States of America is probably a waste of time.

By Eddie

June 27, 2005 11:00 PM | Link to this

For years having the ten commandments in public places was normal now it violates the law.Seems to me the law has changed for the worse.

By CiCi Jones

June 28, 2005 12:39 AM | Link to this

This is absolutly rediculous. If you sit here and think aboutit, we apply the ten commandments to our life daily. Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not lie. If you are saying that there should be a COMPLETE SEPARATION of church and state then you can’t charge people of these crimes because it’s part of someone’s religion and is in the consitution. We have to swear on the Bible and follow the SAME rules the Ten Commandments states, yet we can’t display them all because they are on “government property”? We pay for the govenerment property, we should be able to decide what should be shown on there instead of a couple of a judges. For hundred of years we have never had any problems with it being displayed. We might as well get rid of the Staute of Liberty since it stands for freedom and welcoming immagrants and not everyone may agree with that.

By Ted

June 28, 2005 03:10 AM | Link to this

America is a melting pot of all ethnicities and faiths; should the cornerstone of American freedom display a bias towards Christians???

Courts need to be governed by law, not by religion.

~Ted

By Ted

June 28, 2005 03:24 AM | Link to this

For those who say that our country was founded on the big 10, which commandment includes the slaughter of the many Indian Nations? Which Commandment includes “Birth of a Nation”, the first movie to be shown in the White House (and I do mean WHITE House)? This nation was founded on bloodshed and the immoral treatment of non-whites; Indians, Africans, Chinese…you might as well include the Irish in there (yes I know…they’re white).

At the end of the day, what really matters is that you’re a good person. Good to your family, your employer and your neighbor. I’ll let you in on a little secret; God is an imaginary friend for adults.

By rpm

June 28, 2005 04:55 AM | Link to this

If I remember correctly, aren’t our laws which the court system interprets and presides over based on the 10 commandments? By having the 10 Commandments posted is not the goverment pushing religion. It is demonstrating the very basis of our system of laws. I believe that the majority of the people are not bothered by this. Once again the vocal minority is driving the changes in this country. So much for democracy.

By Mike

June 28, 2005 05:48 AM | Link to this

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

By kkup

June 28, 2005 06:03 AM | Link to this

Maybe if I try hard enough, I can pretend this country wasn’t founded on christian principles; that separation of Church and state, a principle of the 1950’s, wasn’t meant to keep the state from inhibiting the free excercise of religion, not to keep religion from impacting the matters of state. Maybe I can ignore the references to God in all of the founding documents and the references to Him on all of the gov’t buildings built before 1950 and many built ater. I can pretend the founding fathers were not christian and there was no way they could have intended this country to actually acknowledge God. Acknowledging that this country was built on a christian beliefs does not compel anyone to become a christian. I have never heard of a single person who was converted to christianity by seeing a picture of the 10 commandments. Come on people. Wake-up. You are deceiving yourselves. Read a little history. Your atheism, or secularism for those of you who say you believe, is just as much a statement of religion as my christianity. Your actions to oppress my views are no different than what you are complaining about in the first place.

By Marge

June 28, 2005 06:13 AM | Link to this

Leave them in court. What the hell are our laws based on anyway?

By Jerry Forsyth

June 28, 2005 06:37 AM | Link to this

America needs to keep as much distance as possible between government and religion. The most accurate comment I have heard on this matter is that if you want to see what happens when religion and politics mix just take a look at Iran.

By Babs

June 28, 2005 07:43 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand the big deal about emphasizing basic values. Do opponents disagree with the substance?What could it possibly hurt? Who should be offended? Why? A bit of well intended guidance never hurt anyone.

By SJ

June 28, 2005 07:45 AM | Link to this

I think we should leave the 10 Commandments alone. It only seems like a few people are “offended” by this. It offends me if it’s taken away. So, what about that? We are taking God the Father out of everything and we wonder why things are so bad in this world. Well, we shouldn’t. We took prayer out of the schools; we want to take His name out of the Plead of Allegiance. What’s next, we won’t be allowed to bless our food in restaurants? The separation of Church & State was never intended to denounce God. Just because someone doesn’t believe that He exists, doesn’t mean than He isn’t real. In the days of our forefathers I wonder what would have taken place if “some” people wanted to take God out of everything, you know like we are doing now? IT WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY WOULDN’T HAVE ALLOWED IT. Our forefathers had enough sense to put God first and to know that there was someone greater than themselves. So, what is our problem now? We really need to wake up!!!

By norman

June 28, 2005 07:51 AM | Link to this

The Ten Commandments in themselves are not particularly religious, being a version of the Code of Hammurabi, taboos designed to keep the peace and the sanctity of property in goods, land, and women. But since they have become a weapon in the hands of the Christian Fascists they should not be displayed. No quarter should be given to those misguided zealots who want to turn this country into a theocracy. The South has particularly suffered from the effects of religious excess.

By Steve

June 28, 2005 08:00 AM | Link to this

The number of fatalities due to display of the Ten Commandments and in conjunction with all outgoing prayers has increased since 1936. If this senseless abuse is to stop, all of the above should be prohibited. Not. You secularists are up against a power which you have yet to understand.

By Beth

June 28, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

Here a plan………..let’s just destroy all currency and that would include taking everyones money (that’ll get folks listening), tear down all governmental/public buildings that have any type of religous statements on them, do away with the Pledge of Alligiance, the Constitution, Bill of Rights and every other document that that has “God” in it and then we can start over. Sounds like a communist country would be starting shortly. This country was founded on “GOD”. If you don’t like it there’s alot of other countries out there that would love to run your life for you and I’m sure that could care less if they offend you in any way. Go for it and get the heck out of my USA!!!!!!

By PC

June 28, 2005 08:11 AM | Link to this

The 10 Commandments are basic rules for living that creates harmony. It originated in the Bible and the USA was founded on these principals. Therefore anyone wanting to display the 10 Commandments should be allowed to do so because of historic principals both US History and Bible History. We shouldn’t continue to back down and destroy our history because of a few people who don’t wish to support fact.

By Erin

June 28, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

The Court needs to get rid of the “intent” test. Whether a display of the Ten Commandments has religious “intent” or not, it’s a document that promotes adherence to one particular religion being hosted by a government entity. That’s theocracy.

And Scalia needs to learn his history. This country was founded by men of the Enlightenment, who were trying to get rid of superstition and religious prejudice in the government. The Ten Commandments have no more place in American history than the Communist Manifesto.

By Carter

June 28, 2005 08:17 AM | Link to this

Isn’t it funny how society has changed since our forefathers wrote the constitiution. It might interest you to know that seperation of Church and state is not in the constititution. WE have taken their ideas to give us freedom, and restricted or misinterpreted what they wanted in a country.

By J. Thomas

June 28, 2005 08:18 AM | Link to this

The court has once again shown that it lacks ‘the wisdom of Solomon’ in these decisions….but that’s a religious reference I know…maybe someone will provide the scriptural reference to the members of the august body.

By Tracie

June 28, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

Randy, calling some one ignorant because you think they are a liberal is ignorant. For some reason you associate liberal with wrong or anti-whatever and that simply is not true. I consider my self liberal when it comes to the rights of others but that doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in Christ, because I do. I also believe this debate is useless if it doesn’t change the minds of those in power. Personally I don’t have a issue with the display of the 10 Commandments and I believe prayer in school was a good thing but I think maybe some people think that this will lead down a slippery slope of religious and physical persecution,because honestly religion has been twisted many times to justify burnings,lynching and murders since the beginning of time, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so don’t be so quick to label everyone because of your political affiliation.

By Carol

June 28, 2005 08:26 AM | Link to this

Where does it say in the Constitution something about ‘separation of Church and State’?

Surely you Constitution-Thumpers must know that!

By Jim Cole

June 28, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this

If Moses had not had an encounter with God on Mount Sinai, would America even exist? The Constitution is clear that the founders did not want a national church. They could not have conceived a nation without a strong moral compass. The current court would not have made it past the front door of Constitutional Hall.

Jim

By Lois

June 28, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this

It is the 10 Commandments posted on a wall. No one stops and reads them and there is not going to be any law enforcement out to handcuff you and throw you in prison if you break one of the Commandments. People are acting like if they are posted in the government buildings then they have to abide by them. GET REAL! If you don’t want to live by them, ignore them, most people do anyway. I believe the Bible from beginning to end but face it, for most people in America today, these 10 Commandments in a public building mean no more than a picture of Micky Mouse would on a wall in a public building. Yes, I know it is out of the BIBLE and that offends people (sadly) BUT, what does having “don’t steal, lie, and cheat” posted on a wall hurt?

By viktor

June 28, 2005 08:42 AM | Link to this

I see that no one has heeded my plea to learn and understand before reducing their stupidity to writing.

Fear majority rule, christianity this, christianity that, Scalia needs to learn this and that, liberal this, conservative that, blah, blah, blah. All of you need to go back to school (if you ever went) and sit on the front row this time. What a great demonstration of why we’re last in education in the country and why everyone thinks we’re all Clampetts. Study the Constitution and the Federalist Papers and then apply a little dispassionate reasoning to your new found knowledge and then come back.

By Jennifer

June 28, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this

Hey, SJ, our Founding Fathers didn’t believe in god; they weren’t Christian. You need to re-read history, my friend. http://earlyamerica.com/review/summer97/secular.html

Christianity is not our history.

“In god we trust” should never have been put on our money (1955, 150 yrs. after the founding of this country) and it should be removed from the pledge (the original version is: ‘I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’) The word ‘to’ as added in 1892 between ‘and’ and ‘the Republic’.

In 1924 it was changed again under ‘leadership of the American Legion and the Daughters of the American Revolution’ to ‘the Flag of the United States of America’.

In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, ‘under God,’ to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

god is far from being ‘our history’.

By Dennis

June 28, 2005 08:52 AM | Link to this

I have no issue with the last 7 commandments being posted in any goverment building including courthouses. The first three though, have no place in any govermental displays as they COMMAND there is only one God. There were two tablets, one pertaining to God and the other to mankind. We are a goverment of the people not of THE God.

By Robert Heede

June 28, 2005 08:54 AM | Link to this

“I swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me GOD”. But we (the Supreme Court), while a very religious display sits behind us have declared that you cannot display religious symbolsin Government Buildings. I’m burning my paper money that says “In GOD we Trust” so that I don’t get hauled into court by the ACLU. Watch out America, “this land is your land, this land is my land” has also taken on new meaning. Seems to be that’s how it started in the soviet Union. Ban Religious symbolism, ban Private onwership of property. Karl (Marx not Rove) would be so happy.

By John Chatten

June 28, 2005 08:55 AM | Link to this

This country founded on freedom of religion, not freedom from it.

By deedubya

June 28, 2005 08:57 AM | Link to this

Jennifer: Please tell me why you can say anything foul and evil on tv, believe in the most awful things in the world and tell about it, be anything in the world, but if you are a christian, you are cast into a group that everyone criticizes. We have a right to free speech and thought too.

By JB

June 28, 2005 08:58 AM | Link to this

The colonies were founded by pilgrims seeking religious freedom from a state endorsed religion, so that no government would pick a single religion and force everyone to comply. Our country was founded on “no taxation without representation” and “give me liberty or give me death!!” not “thou shalt have no other gods before me”. To say other wise is absolutely ridiculous. It’s not that a 10 commandment display is offensive, its the people who decide whether or not to put one up that is offensive. These people do not put up a display to honor our founding fathers. They do so in order to evangelize to us “sinners” who don’t believe. Its the intent, not the monument that is a violation of the separation clause.

By Redneck

June 28, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

I find it interesting that the same 5 justices that voted to overturn the death penalty for the 17 year old from Tenn are the same ones who voted to remove the 10 commandments from the courthouse. The justice who wrote the majority opinion said that in making his decision he considered what the europeans would think and that he also thought that the majority of the american citizens did not approve of people under 18 being put to death, in other words doing what the majority wanted. Funny he did not use the same logic in the 10 commandment courthouse case.

By sabrina

June 28, 2005 09:07 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t feel so bad about this issue if I knew that the same people fighting to keep the displays in place would support displays of other religions on government property. Something tells me that would not be tolerated though. It’s a shame that Americans can be so hypocritical and support issues only when they line up with their own beliefs.

By Get Real

June 28, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this

It’s funny how people choose to use the bible like everything in it is so valuable and its lessons should be follow. They refuse to acknowledge Exodus where “it’s okay to sell your daughter into slavery” and “anyone working on Sunday should be put to death”. Yes, people that is YOUR holy bible. Please read it. I’m pretty sure they will come back and say “they don’t mean that literally” or some cop out answer. I love how people of the bible are able to pick and choose what should be followed and what shouldn’t. True, there is not a separation of church and state in the Constitiution. The first amendment however states there should be no establshiment of religion. How do these following commandments not establish a religion… now remember they came out of the Christian text: 1)Thou shalt have no other God before me. That doesn’t really sound like it is giving me the power to believe in any other God EXCEPT from the text that I’m reading. Does that sound fair? How about number 3? Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain? So now my freedom of speech is taken away because of a commandment that I don’t even believe in? Maybe we should enforce this commandment. What does this have to do with “helping” the people of the United States. How about SJ’s comment- “we want to take His name out of the Plead of Allegiance” Are you aware it was not in there in the first place? It was placed in there in 1954 as a slap in the face to communist. It’s funny how J Thomas is allowed to say ” lacks ‘the wisdom of Solomon’ for someone who doesn’t agree with the bible or for that cause. I think people who believe in the bible lack wisdom, and are hypocrites beyond belief. Refer to the above verses if you don’t believe so. Because I know you don’t agree with them. So the people who believe in God don’t agree with everything in the bible, so why should everyone else?

By Jennifer

June 28, 2005 09:09 AM | Link to this

No one is saying you don’t have the right to free speech. We’re saying you don’t have the right to display the ten commandments in a courtroom.

No one is saying you don’t have the right to believe in god. We’re saying you don’t have the right to display the ten commandments in a courtroom.

The misconception that this country was founded on Christianity is completely wrong; it wasn’t.

By Jake

June 28, 2005 09:11 AM | Link to this

The practices of the Founding Fathers included slavery, hanging and various methods of corporal punishment like the use of stocks, most of which are considered barbaric and amoral today. Their intent was that the law of the land could and should change to meet changing times. So all these arguments about their beliefs regarding the place of religion, specifically Christianity, in our law are irrelevant. What John Adams said or thought has absolutely nothing to do with what our laws should be today.
One of the roles of the Supreme Court is to interpret the 220 year old Constitution using contemporary standards. Today it is important to keep religion restricted to home and church and out of all public places, courts, schools, and government offices. It’s important to protect the majority of us from the zealous fervor of the fundamentalist, extremist minority that presume to know not only the Founding Father’s intent, but god’s.

By Mike

June 28, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

I think the real test will occur when someone of another religious faith other than Christianity , such as a Muslim, wants some of their laws posted in a public place. Then we will see how everyone reacts when some religion other than their own is displayed. That will put this whole controversy to rest. I am of the Christian faith but would have no problem with another religion being recognized. If one faith has access to public places then all faiths should. I do think however, that public money should not be used to erect these monuments…. if a particular faith wants their laws to be displayed they should pay for it. Fair is fair.

By Sandra

June 28, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

I believe that this country was founded on Christian beliefs. I also believe that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in both places. I think that our country is losing it’s heritage and is in moral decay. We are a free country and we can make our individual choices on whether or not we read something that is displayed. If we want to read it, we do, if we don’t want to, we don’t have to, noone is making us.

One or two ignorant people are allowed to make rules that are one-sided. The majority of people who stand against what they are arguing over are not considered in the court decisions.

If I go past a magazine stand for instance that is displaying a nude person or saying something nasty, it is my choice whether I read it or look at it or not. If the people who are against the Ten Commandments don’t like them, simply don’t read them. The courts should not be allowed to take away the rights of others that want to read them. We are free people, we have a choice as to whether we want to read them or not, simple as that.

They should be there for those who want to read them and those who don’t want to, simply don’t, noone will force them to read them.

The same goes for prayer at school and athletic functions. If you want to pray do and if you don’t want to don’t. You have the choice to pray to God or whatever god you choose, or not pray at all. The rights of those who want to should not be taken away.

A few people say their rights are being violated by displaying the Ten Commandments but millions of peoples’ rights are being taken away by not displaying them. Where is the fairness?

GOD BLESS AMERICA please, we need it NOW!!!

By Tami

June 28, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

In my philisophical approach I’d like to open the readers mind to the novel idea that this country was built on the strength, intelligence and courage of All it’s people. This includes Christians, Buddhists, Muslems, Jews, Agnostics and Atheists. I think some of you fail to remember that at various points in history people of this world were not only persecuted politically but were slaughtered by the church that many of you so proudly cling too. Remember the Crusades? Go to Southern France and ask them what happened to it’s entire people, the Cathars. Thousands of men, women and children, who were murdered during the First Crusade because they believed that God lived within all of us and that each individual had the Right to speak directly to God without an intermediary. At the time, they were the most intellectually advanced group of people in the world. And then you wonder why so many of us ask the question: Why does our governement have the right, to promote a single Judeo-Christian belief system? If I’m going to Your Hell because of my beliefs, what’s it any concern of yours? If you want to quote scripture, how about this one: “Judge not least ye be Judged.”

By Bill

June 28, 2005 09:49 AM | Link to this

I’m a little tired of this debate. The founding fathers of this once great nation made their faith in God an integral part of their focus. Take a look at your currency, take a look at the original documents, then take a look at the state of this nation since faith in God has become secondary to money. “In GOD we trust”

By Disinterested

June 28, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

Our system of law is based on English common law, which predates the Christianization of England. And our structure of government is largely based on the great Roman republic. So while it may be fun to play make believe and spout forth the misguided notion that America’s system of governance was derived directly from Moses’ stone tablets, it is an extreme and gross misrepresentation of the facts. Sorry to burst your bubble. If our forefathers were intent on making America a “Judeo-Christian” nation that respected the laws of your Christian god, then why (despite the misinformation peddled in this blog) is there not one reference to God (besides “in the year of our lord”) in our nation’s FOUNDING DOCUMENT, the Constitution? And to disabuse you of your further confusion, the Declaration of Independence makes reference to the Creator and Nature’s God, not your current radicalized pro-war Americanized “Judeo-Christian” God. No less than Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Ben Franklin were Deists, not bible-thumping Christians. They were truly wise and knowledgeable to keep religion and government separate (which WAS their intent, despite what Rush Limbaugh may have told you). Now there were many bible-thumpers at the time who wanted to inject religious language and religious ideas into our founding documents, as I’m sure many of you wish they had and would have supported were you there at the time - all I can say is Thank God they didn’t. This magnificent experiment that we call America has flourished in large part because people have the FREEDOM to worship however they please in public or in private, with hordes of people or in solitary, without government interference. I don’t think it is too much to ask (and obviously our wisest forefather’s agree) for your private religious worship to stay out of my taxpayer funded government buildings, and for government officials to not proselytize to the captive masses.

Tyranny of the minority? What a sick joke. No one is keeping you from religious expression - why do you need government sanction of it? In my eyes, those who want to marry religion and government have a basic lack of respect for both.

Oh, and secularism is NOT as much a religion as Christianity. Secularism is the lack of religion. Just how our civic government should be - neutral towards religion. If you don’t believe that, you should be asking yourself whether you would really prefer a government that politicizes religion for short-term political gain. It would degrade both institutions and set us up for sectarian infighting. Just what America needs.

To sum up, English common law, Rome’s republic, and the democratic ideal have little or nothing to do with your “Judeo-Christian philosophy,” as Bill O’Reilly would put it. You should ask yourself - if nearly all of the men and women who founded America were Christian, then why would there very deliberately be no language in our founding documents extolling the influence of religion on the creation of our nation-state? I think you need some reassurance that your views are “right,” and I think you are looking in the wrong place to justify them.

By Sandy

June 28, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this

Why not just let the High Court seal their own fate. The Good Lord will know what their decision was regarding the Ten Commandments and deal with them when their day comes. I’m just sorry they will all go to a hot, hot place for eternity.

Hope they enjoy!

By Mary

June 28, 2005 09:57 AM | Link to this

You don’t have to post the Ten Commandments to live them. Just try your best to live them. It’s what’s in your heart that matters.

By Rose

June 28, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this

Hate to sound like a hippie from the ‘60s, but as I read these hateful barbs being thrown back and forth here, I couldn’t help but think of one thing: All we need is Love. Love is tolerate, patient, kind, generous. It doesn’t insult and it doesn’t hate you for your beliefs. I happen to think Christ is Love, but the Love in my heart won’t allow me to cram that down your throat just because you think differently. What troubles me most about the zealotry that passes for Christianity today is that it doesn’t have Love at its center. It actually hates the word “tolerance�. It certainly isn’t generous or kind, and as for patience, it has none. Love doesn’t depend on a monument in a courthouse square, but on something so intangible and wonderful that we can only carry it around individually and give it to each other from soul to soul. Call me a dreamer, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could embrace this love and stop arguing about silly things like plaques and monuments? When Jesus came along, he said the greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Do everything in love, and you can forget the rest because doing the right thing will be built into your very nature.

By Sandy

June 28, 2005 10:08 AM | Link to this

Jennifer - Are you alive and well? Who do you think created you? I’m curious as to why you are such a non-believer. Been hurt in your life? I can tell you are a really bitter person and I wanted to tell you…we Christians care about you! I hope you have a Blessed Day!

By Jennifer

June 28, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

Again, thank you for all of the hate mail you so-called Christians have sent me to my personal email account because I know our country was not founded on Christianity; just what I would expect from a ‘Christian’.

I am sorry you are so misguided.

By JH

June 28, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

Time to set the record straight. First off, at least in courts around Atlanta (Gwinnett County, Dekalb, Fulton), we no longer swear on the Bible. “Under God” does not mean “Under only the Christian God”, “Under only the Islamic God”, etc. “Under God” means under whatever God you choose to believe in.

We’ve all become way too concerned with being politically correct. Look at what we’re doing! We can’t ‘give’ a kid a failing grade because his/her ego might get hurt. We can’t put Suzy on the soccer field for more time than Sally because Sally’s feelings will be hurt, even though Sally stinks at playing soccer.

Look guys, this world is competitive. We’re all going to get our feelings hurt at some point. A Christian will be offended by something a Muslim says, a Hindu will be offended by something a Christian says, etc. Because people get offended by people who do things differently than themselves. The great thing about the USA though is that we have the right to be offended and discuss the offenses. We have the right to disagree and have protests airing our disagreement.

So in regard to the Ten Commandments, get real people. They don’t say anything new. I don’t care where they’re posted. Maybe if they were posted in grocery stores and malls, fewer people would steal because there would be a sign saying “Don’t steal”. Then again, some of us have consciences that tell us this stuff anyway. This is not a big deal. Why don’t we spend some time now thinking of other things—like keeping our kids in school and off the streets.