ACLU Claims Opposition to Ten Commandments Display over Concern for Catholics

Lifesite.org ^ | January 9, 2004

[nickcarraway]

Catholic Group Rejects ACLU "Defense"

DES MOINES, January 9, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Copies of the Ten Commandments, along with seven other historical documents, were hung in the Iowa Statehouse yesterday. The documents, which include the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence, are being displayed to commemorate the moral and legal underpinnings of the United States.

The ACLU affiliate, however, complained that only one version of the Ten Commandments (the King James version) was posted, thereby excluding versions used by Catholics, Lutherans and Jews. The ACLU said this was divisive and showed "government favoritism" of one religion over another.

The display was donated by private sources and was approved by Iowa House Speaker Chris Rants. Rants said, "If somebody finds it offensive, I hope they will come and talk to me about it." The legal arm of the Iowa Family Policy Center pledged to fight any lawsuit brought by the ACLU.

Catholic League president William Donohue said the ACLU's fears were unfounded: "It is so refreshing to learn that the ACLU's opposition to the Iowa display of the Ten Commandments is motivated out of concern for Roman Catholics. All along we thought the ACLU was simply opposed to any display of the Ten Commandments on public property. While we hate to sound ungrateful, we really don't need the ACLU to protect us in this instance. In fact, the Catholic League would like to see the display of the Ten Commandments in every statehouse, and it matters not a whit whether it is the Catholic, Protestant or Jewish version.

"I have written to Iowa House Speaker Chris Rants informing him of the Catholic League's position; a copy has also been sent to Chuck Hurley of the Iowa Family Policy Center."

[The Red Zone]

Well go ignore and/or revise the history books you personally read, but don't censor it for the rest of us. America is what it is because of the belief in God.

[reed_inthe_wind]

"The recognition of the multidimensional nature of human language, not staying fixed to a particular moment in history, but having a hold on the future, is an aid that permits a greater understanding of how the Word of God can avail of the human word to confer on a history in progress a meaning that surpasses the present moment and yet brings out, precisely in this way, the unity of the whole."

...In other words Catholics don't object, and the ACLU can bug off.

[jim35]

Good job on noticing. I usually check these things when someone is so obviously, idiotically liberal, here on FR, but I forgot to check. Member since today. Cute.

[c-b 1]

I read that the ACLU is running short of funds, after all these law suits over the 10 Commandments, I say lets keep putting them up. The ACLU sent our High School a letter stating that if they didn't change the name of Easter Break to Spring Break, there would be a lawsuit filed, the School Board voted 5 to 0 not to comply.

[SandRat]

Catholic League president William Donohue said the ACLU's fears were unfounded: "It is so refreshing to learn that the ACLU's opposition to the Iowa display of the Ten Commandments is motivated out of concern for Roman Catholics. All along we thought the ACLU was simply opposed to any display of the Ten Commandments on public property. While we hate to sound ungrateful, we really don't need the ACLU to protect us in this instance. In fact, the Catholic League would like to see the display of the Ten Commandments in every statehouse, and it matters not a whit whether it is the Catholic, Protestant or Jewish version.

Uh-oh somebody can see right through the ACLU!

[Miggsathon]

I read the article. And I understand it all too well. Conservatives who want to shove their beliefs down other people's throats are not conservative at all. I am Christian -- go to church every week. I don't need anyone else paying for my religion, and I sure as heck don't want to pay for anyone else's. I can take care of myself. I don't whine to the government to make me feel better when I go to contest a parking ticket.

And no, Jim35, I don't have trouble understanding my own point. A person or community can only practice religion when their religious symbols are posted in a courthouse? Is that what you're saying? I can do that regardless of what the government says I should believe.

[Miggsathon]

There's a difference between a liberal and a libertarian. The first topics to pop up are all about government imposing things on people. Not for me.

[jim35]

..."A person or community can only practice religion when their religious symbols are posted in a courthouse?.."

You've got to be kidding. The only other possibilities are that: a) You're a troll, from the DU, and you are an anti-Christian liar, or b) you are incredibly ignorant of the absolute scouring from our culture of all religion that has been going on for decades, which in the last 10 years has so dramatically increased. Which is it? You don't see the anti-Christian bent of the ACLU and the court system, or you don't care, or you are all for it?

[jim35]

..."There's a difference between a liberal and a libertarian. The first topics to pop up are all about government imposing things on people. Not for me."...

So, as you see it, the whole issue is the prevention of government forcing religion down our throats. Man, you are really up on the issues. Yep, this is the biggest problem, by far, with gov. and religion. Forcing it on us. Uh huh. Maybe you could give an example, preferably in the last 100 years?

[Miggsathon]

I didn't say I thought the ACLU was being genuine. Of course they don't care about offending Catholics. That's just a pretext. And I'm certainly not anti-Christian. As for whether I'm a liar, well, saying I'm not couldn't possibly be worth anything, now could it?

I'm fine with people displaying their own religious symbols any time, any place. I just don't want to pay for it through my tax dollars. What they're doing in France is absolutely ludicrous -- Chirac trying to prevent kids from wearing "conspicuous" crosses or yarmulkes or Muslim garb. Please -- people should be able to do what they want, as long as they're not using my money to shove their religion down my throat.

[churchillbuff]

The answer is to put all three versions of the Ten Commandments up. I'm sure that will make the ACLU very happy (not)

[jim35]

..."I'm fine with people displaying their own religious symbols any time, any place. I just don't want to pay for it through my tax dollars."...

As Nam Vet said, read the article. These items were DONATED. Not to be paid for by your precious tax dollars. Is that what all this is about? Are you truly blind to the anti-Christian bent that this (more and more) secularized nation is showing? Did you forget the other half of the first amendment, the one that prevents gov. interfering with the free practice of religion, or are you hung up on the first part about not promoting religion? The two are, believe it or not, compatible, but the first half has been perverted by our government, and the second half forgotten. You might want to wake up to what is happening here. Just what are you defending here?

[Nam Vet]

Let me reiterate! This article is NOT about religion! Please take the time to READ AND COMPREHEND! Here.....let me make it EASY for ya. Opening paragraph IS...

"Copies of the Ten Commandments, along with seven other historical documents, were hung in the Iowa Statehouse yesterday. The documents, which include the Magna Carta and the Declaration of Independence, are being displayed to commemorate the moral and legal underpinnings of the United States. "

Did ya comprehend THIS time??? Basis of LAW in the U.S.A.

I really hate trying to inform room temp I.Q. libs.

Nam Vet

[Miggsathon]

"These items were DONATED. Not to be paid for by your precious tax dollars."

You're saying the Holy Bureaucracy didn't have to do anything to get these items? That the Speaker's tax-paid time wasn't spent on this issue, as the article says it was?

I said nothing about anti-Christian bent or pro-Christian bent in the nation as a whole. I responded to a particular case -- nothing more. And yes, I absolutely agree that the government shouldn't interfere with the free practice of religion. Nor should government promote it. Nor should the government pass a law "respecting the establishment of religion" at all. Let me do my thing, and I'll let others do theirs. If I want to prosyletize (did I spell that right?) on my own time, that's my business. But the government should get its nose out of my personal life.

[Miggsathon]

You: "Did ya comprehend THIS time??? Basis of LAW in the U.S.A."

What the article actually said: "are being displayed to commemorate the moral and legal underpinnings of the United States."

I suppose the word "moral" just blew right past you. That's just code for "religious." Do ya comprehend? I really hate trying to inform fake conservatives.

[jim35]

..."That the Speaker's tax-paid time wasn't spent on this issue, as the article says it was?"...

This is exactly the kind of speech that a Speaker should be spending his time using; political speech. Would you be offended if he instead spent a few minutes asking how your day went? Or must every tax-paid word be approved? A silly item to get overwrought about. And exactly which "Holy Bureaucracy" are you talking about? The one which isn't even allowed to mention God, under penalty of law? You are a very funny kind of libertarian. The kind that is angered by liberty. And just which part of your private life is being interfered with here? Would you be upset at a "wet paint" sign too? Last time I checked, posting a copy of the 10 commandments wasn't the congress making a law establishing a religion.

[jim35]

..."I suppose the word "moral" just blew right past you. That's just code for "religious." Do ya comprehend? I really hate trying to inform fake conservatives."...

Code for religious? So you agree that our moral system is based on our religion? Then what's your problem with having that code posted in a public area? If it's the basis of our morals, then it's the basis for our laws, so it should by shown off in public, and especially in a courthouse. It's not being forced to be posted there, it's being PREVENTED from being posted there. Remember liberty? It's the root of libertarianism. You don't get it, because you have an ax to grind, not because it's complicated.

[Nam Vet]

ALL laws are based on SOME moral code. Would you rather our moral and legal codes be based on perhaps Hitler's or Saddam's moral code? Most all here would prefer those codes to be based on the aforementioned documentS. Please note the plural in both the article AND my reply. I am ignoring you as of now, as you are obviously a new troll, DUer or some idiot ACLUer.

Nam Vet

[jempet]

I'm an athiest, but this stuff really ticks me off. I am not offended by any displays of one's beliefs. I am however offended by the ACLU twisting separation of church and state into "cannot view religion in public or get sued." I just cannot fathom why anyone is giving in to these destroyers of American values. They defend gays, destroy religion, and claim to be defending the constitution. I don't recall our forefathers ever mentioning gays, abortion, and they sure as hell had something to say about God. Even being an athiest, I still believe in the principles derrived from the Bible, and my children learn about God. They can make their own choices about God when they are older, but for now, under my roof, I'd prefer they learn from the Bible, and not the ACLU or Jerry Springer.

[endthematrix]

You did it now! Should have lurked around before the FR plunge. You are now the focus of an ADL smear campaign, you "Liberal", "Troll", "anti-Christian" and a "Liar" with a "room temp I.Q."

Aren't you glad others have framed the debate. Now you you have to climb out of the hole on their terms. You see, to some (most?) on FR, this is an all or nothing issue, and they apply it as easily to Muslims extremists. Hopefully your postings will help them look at themselves in mirror at what they have said.
Oops, I almost forgot. WELCOME, you infidel dog.