Posted on 02/28/2004 6:07:00 PM PST by PeteFromMontana
Commissioners find support for keeping Commandments
By Alan Choate The Daily Inter Lake
Though not universally popular, the county commissioners' stance against removing a Ten Commandments monument at the Flathead County Courthouse has drawn praise and promises of support from county residents and at least one gubernatorial candidate.
"I've gotten, man alive, dozens of calls," said Commissioner Gary Hall, who has been the most vocal on the issue. "Just support calls, thankful that we're standing up, and not rolling over.
"I've never gotten this many positive responses on anything I've done" as an elected official.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group, sent a letter to the county declaring that the monument is unconstitutional and needs to be removed. A lawsuit will be filed if it isn't, the group's legal director said.
Americans United has received complaints about the monument from county residents since last fall. The group cannot start litigation unilaterally — if a lawsuit is to be filed, someone who lives in the county must put his or her name on it.
Hall said commissioners would like to know about concerns with the monument.
"That's been our position, that we're not really acknowledging this group," he said. "If that person [who complained] would like to come forward and address the commissioners, we'd love to hear from them."
Secretary of State Bob Brown, who is running for governor as a Republican, issued a statement opposing the removal of any Ten Commandments monument, including the one in Flathead County and one at the Montana Capitol.
Judging from phone calls and e-mails to the Inter Lake, there are plenty of people who like the Ten Commandments monument right where it is.
"I was greatly disturbed by the idea that someone or [some] group wants to take away my rights so that they can have the same rights that they are taking away," wrote Andy Murphy of Kalispell.
"Our country was founded on these beliefs and our world today does not want to be reminded of this. ... This disruption of our rights as Americans has got to stop, so let Kalispell be that place."
Several people wanted information on how to contact Americans United (http://www.au.org) and expressed dismay that an organization on the other side of the country would get involved in this issue. Others put forth the argument that without the Commandments, there would be no law.
"If you want true separation of Church and State, I suggest you come up with your own set of laws without referring in the slightest to the Ten Commandments," Andrea Brunz of Columbia Falls wrote. "In case you didn't notice, that means you have to legalize murder, theft and adultery, among other human-rights-violating actions.
"Oh, and by the way, you can't make your trial witnesses promise to tell the truth, either. Good luck."
Lying in a trial is considered perjury, which is punishable as a criminal act. Adultery — while not encouraged — is not a crime in Montana.
Other writers found fault with the monument.
"This very country was founded on the basis of religious freedom," said Richard Wayne. "Key word — freedom. . . . this does not necessarily mean just Christianity.
"Do we need to put up monuments and ‘golden idols’ to represent our point of view? . . . If that is the case, the courthouse lawn is going to get quite cluttered with Buddhas and marble Korans, and — holy smoke! — just think of all the Hindu Gods . . . it’s going to be quite a tough mowing job."
Bill Milner of Whitefish cited a different area of civil rights law to make a case for not posting the Ten Commandments at a courthouse.
"You cannot post things like: ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal,’ ‘Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery’ and ‘Thou Shall Not Lie’ in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians," he wrote.
"It creates a hostile work environment."
Reporter Alan Choate may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at achoate@dailyinterlake.com
It has been about 5 years for me but they did have me swear on the bible before testifying back then.
EXAMPLE:
"Oxymoron" - Removing the Ten Commandments from the courthouse while making people swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God while your hand is on the Bible in court rooms.
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