U.S. Supreme Court Hears Ten Commandments Case

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday on whether public displays of the Ten Commandments are constitutionally acceptable, responding to a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union in Kentucky and a similar challenge in Texas.  Justice Antonin Scalia pointed out the discrepancy that invoking the name of God in prayer or legislative decrees is permissible. “I don’t see why the one is good and the other is bad,” Scalia said, according to a Washington Times report.  “The arguments today were encouraging for those who wish to preserve our religious heritage in America,” said Pat Trueman, Senior Legal Council for Family Research Council, who was present at the hearings. “[Wednesday], the clear Supreme Court majority appeared very reluctant to suggest that the Ten Commandments violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.”“Most Justices today indicated a great reluctance to suggest that the Ten Commandments are inappropriate given our nation’s religious heritage,” Trueman continued. “To require removal of Ten Commandments displays would show hostility to religion and nothing in the U.S. Constitution requires such an extremist viewpoint. I would be surprised if the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Ten Commandments displays in question violate the U.S. Constitution.”  A majority of Americans – 76 percent – support the displays, according to an AP-Ipsos poll conducted in February.  A final decision is expected in late June, and what the high court decides will define – or perhaps redefine – religion in America.  See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:  White House Backs Ten Commandments Displays https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/dec/04121006.html   tv