Cherokees Vote to Display Ten Commandments

WND ^ | 09/25/2005 | Adam Graham

[Keyes2000mt]

If you are nostalgic for the days when the Ten Commandments were posted in public buildings, you might want to consider visiting the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.

The tribal council is making plans to mount a copy of the Ten Commandments in the council house where government meetings are held, and possibly display them throughout other public buildings in the Cherokee Nation of western North Carolina.

The idea was introduced by Councilwoman Angela Kephart last month. She said the tribe should display the Ten Commandments out of respect and devotion to God. The motion passed unanimously.

"We aren't saying you have to abide by the Ten Commandments," Kephart said, according to the Smoky Mountain News. "We are simply displaying God's Ten Commandments. That's what He expects from each and every individual. If you break that, it is between you and God. It is not between you and the tribal council; it is between you and God."

There is no First Amendment issue involved, and even if the American Civil Liberties Union wanted to make one, it can't. The U.S. Constitution does not apply to Cherokee, nor to any other Native American tribe for that matter, according to Cherokee's Attorney General David Nash.

"We are a sovereign nation and we can pretty much post anything we want in our council chambers," said Kephart. "For once the federal government is not going to tell us what to do. We can feel good about it because we are standing up for God. The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."

Kephart was clear about her desire to promote Christianity.

"God has blessed our tribe," she said. "We have a very rich tribe, per se. We are operating on over a $200 million budget thanks to our gaming enterprise."

Posting the Ten Commandments doesn't prevent others from practicing their religion, explained Nash.

"Anybody can practice any religion they want to practice," Nash said.

[A. Pole]

The tribal council is making plans to mount a copy of the Ten Commandments in the council house where government meetings are held, and possibly display them throughout other public buildings in the Cherokee Nation of western North Carolina.

Bump

[coconutt2000]

Dude... far out.... ;-)

Not bad.

[kellynla]

God bless 'em!

[cripplecreek]

Well good for them. I suspect they have plenty of their traditional religious symbols around with no conflict as well.

[kellynla]

I was hopin' they wouldn't make me take "Cherokee" off my Jeep! LOL

[A. Pole]

"We can feel good about it because we are standing up for God. The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."

Bump again.

[fat city]

"We are a sovereign nation and we can pretty much post anything we want in our council chambers,"

WTF??

[kstewskis]

"God has blessed our tribe,"

And may He continue to bless the Cherokee!

[PetroniusMaximus]

*** "God has blessed our tribe," she said. "We have a very rich tribe, per se. We are operating on over a $200 million budget thanks to our gaming enterprise."***

I'm thinking she doesn't see the incongruity in this.

[Fawnn]

Makes me proud that I'm 1/16th Cherokee! (Also makes me wish I was a part of a $200 million tribe.)

[clee1]

The Cherokee Nation, like any other recognised tribe, has soverign powers in their territory.

Treaties govern the Federal (and State) government' interaction with them; NOT the US Constitution.

[jocon307]

"The more it becomes controversial, the more we need to stand firm."

Bravo!

[Chena]

God bless them! bump!

[BikerTrash]

Any way I could live there? I promise not to even try to change a thing, like what happened to my country.

[kenth]

Having been subjected to the stereotyping from Hollywood and the left, I imagine it would surprise many to know how conservative and Christian a lot of tribes are. Traditional symbols of heritage abound, but for most, Jesus is our lord and savior, not some leftist amalgam of earthly worship.

Good to see them do this.

[fat city]

Wow. This adds a whole new level to my ignorance.

[apackof2]

go after a group of Cherokees

Won't happen, that's why this so great!

[apackof2]

Yes, its true and wrong
Indians have a nation within a nation