And what "religion" would the 10 Commandments be endorsing? I do not think of "religion" when I see the 10 Commandments... only a very reasonable moral code of ethics. I am a reasonable person and have never concluded that the 10 Commandments were an endorsement of a specific religion.
Sorry, but I am firm in my opinion about this and have seriously considered your side of the argument. I find your side to be shallow and without merit and an effort to shove amorality down our collective throats. I find it a dark day in the history of America when said document has been removed from courthouses across this country.
Hopefully reasonable people will prevail eventually and we will see the 10 Commandments reposted where they rightly belong, without the rediculous notion that somehow posting them constitutes a state sponsored religion.
The Ten Commandments for the most part is a reasonable moral code of conduct that should be taught in the home and church. The problem is, the courts exist to interpret, and hold people accountable to the laws as dictated by our legal code, not religious rules, however reasonable and common sensical they may be.
And how do their absence constitute equate to shoving ammorality down our throats? Do courtroom displays prevent the advertising industry from forcing risque Paris Hilton ads onto our airwaves? Does it prevent networks from showing more and more skin during prime time? I don't think so. The reality is sex sells, and will continue to be sold until consumers no longer buy it.
I have also seriously considered "your side," and I find it a heavy handed effort to shove judeo - christianity morality down our collective throats in an inapproriate forum for it. I believe in parental responsibilty and the power button approach to immorality. When enough people stop allowing this crap into their homes and minds, TV execs will try another approach. Until then, no court room display will curtail it in the least.
How can you not? Four of the ten address nothing other than religion. No other gods than God, No graven images, no taking the Lord's name in vein, and keeping the Sabbath. Those are strictly relgiious, and they're the first four commandments given.
As a Christian myself, I cannot in good conscience lie and say the 10 Commandments don't endorse a religion, because the first four things only apply to Christians and Jews. There is nothing universal there that can be applied outside of the Judeo Christian sphere.