WASHINGTON - In a narrowly drawn ruling, the Supreme Court struck down Ten Commandments displays in courthouses Monday, holding that two exhibits in Kentucky crossed the line between separation of church and state because they promoted a religious message.That's exactly right. It's a big slap down to the religious right, and a huge victory.
[...]
"The touchstone for our analysis is the principle that the First Amendment mandates government neutrality between religion and religion, and between religion and nonreligion," Justice David H. Souter wrote for the majority.
"When the government acts with the ostensible and predominant purpose of advancing religion, it violates that central Establishment clause value of official religious neutrality," he said.
The justices left themselves legal wiggle room on this issue, however, saying that some displays — like their own courtroom frieze — would be permissible if they're portrayed neutrally in order to honor the nation's legal history.I agree with this also. There is cause to be reasonable.
** update **
It seems that 10 commandment displays are allowed on the grounds, just not in the courthouse itself. That's silly inconsistency.
But as long as the fundis are upset, that's all that matters...
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