11th Circuit Refuses Ten Commandments Appeal

Associated Press ^ | August 19, 2003 | Bob Johnson

[Selmo]

'Ten Commandments' Justice Loses Again

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A federal appeals court declined Tuesday to lift an order requiring the chief justice of Alabama's Supreme Court to remove his Ten Commandments monument from the state judicial building by midnight Wednesday.

Chief Justice Roy Moore immediately asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider what it had just decided, until the U.S. Supreme Court can rule on a petition by Moore to intervene.

Moore, who installed the 5,300-pound monument in the rotunda of the judicial building two years ago, contends it represents the moral foundation of American law and that a federal judge has no authority to make him remove it.

The 11th Circuit earlier this year agreed with a ruling by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, who held the monument violates the constitution's ban on government promotion of religion.

Moore's supporters announced plans for a series of protests that an organizer promised would be "Christ centered, peaceful and prayerful."

Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, said the protests would begin with a prayer vigil on the steps of the court building at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

"Every minute that monument stays in the building after Aug. 20 is a victory," Mahoney said.

Thompson has said he may fine the state about $5,000 a day if the monument is not removed by the end of the day Wednesday. He has said it would be permissible for the monument to be moved to a less public site, such as Moore's office.

[sinkspur]

And the Supreme Court will not intervene either.

Moore is going to begin costing the Alabama taxpayers for his little stunt.

[tet68]

um, if it's ok in his office...............

[Chancellor Palpatine]

That is a real Christian act, threatening physical harm over the placement of a stone idol. Is anything about this decision depriving you of an ability to follow the 10 Commandments or to worship God in your home or church?

[11B3]

Yeah, it's OK in his office where no one will be 'offended' by it. If the values represented in the 10 commandments offends someone, they should STFU. Personally, I'd rather have a judge who tried to follow those commandments.

This isn't about "separation of church and state". Technically, the judicial branch of government does not make policy, so displaying the commandments in his courtroom or court building has nothing to do with official policies of the state. This is about removing any moral basis for decisions by a conservative judge who the liberals dislike.

[sinkspur]

I am hoping the protestors get violent.

What a stupid thing to say!

Bust somebody's head who's obeying the law?

Yep, let blood flow in Christ's name.

[FixitGuy]

"Moore, who installed the 5,300-pound monument in the rotunda of the judicial building two years ago, contends it represents the moral foundation of American law and that a federal judge has no authority to make him remove it.

Wouldn't call this stance a stunt!

It's a 10th Amendment issue if I ever saw one.

Moore is right. These 10 items are the root of our laws.

Rather than the Ten Commandments, let's just leave the monument there and call 'em "A Partial List Of Really good Ideas To Live By"

It's ALL out of balance now but sanity will return someday.

[SunStar]

Moore is going to begin costing the Alabama taxpayers for his little stunt.

So, does that mean that you agree that the highest judge in any state is obligated to submit to a ruling from a federal judge that is clearly without constitutionality?

[SunStar]

This isn't about "separation of church and state".

This is about the First Amendment and the rights of the state and the people to be free from the Federal government coming in and legislating religion, something the constitution SPECIFICALLY bars from happening!

[sinkspur]

So, does that mean that you agree that the highest judge in any state is obligated to submit to a ruling from a federal judge that is clearly without constitutionality?

I don't accept your premise.

[FixitGuy]

"So, does that mean that you agree that the highest judge in any state is obligated to submit to a ruling from a federal judge that is clearly without constitutionality?"

Bingo!

[11B3]

Agreed - 100%.

[Mushinronshasan]

um, if it's ok in his office...............

Yep, it's very much OK in his office. Offending people is not the point. I'm sure he can offend lots of folks with his rulings. Imposing his religion on people who appear in his court is very much the point. The religious props are inappropriate.

[candeee]

Don't bother trying to debate that one; he is a troll

[comnet]

Its time for the Christians to stand up for GOD in America

[11B3]

If you look at other religions, you'll notice that those "religious props" as you call them are basically the same worldwide. They're called human values. They are part of the Bible, true, but they're part of all religion except for religions like Satanism which worship evil.

I'm not overtly religious, or even Christian, and I believe these commandments are a sound foundation of humanity. To force their removal is insane.

[jwalsh07]

I don't accept your premise.

:-} Why not sink?

[Lunatic Fringe]

Congress, shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof..."

Why is this so hard to understand?

[sinkspur]

Don't bother trying to debate that one; he is a troll

Nice comment. Got any input to the subject of the thread, or are you playing thread monitor?