Alabama SC justices cave, order Ten Commandments removed

AP on Fox News ^ | 8-21-03 | AP on Fox News website

[rwfromkansas]

MONTGOMERY, Ala.

[Zack Nguyen]

They fear religion because they are antinominians themselves - and want to remove whatever might stand in judgement or accountability over them. God sets the rules, they don't like rules, therefore God must go. I really think that is what it comes down to. God willing some of them will see the truth before they pass on.

[lugsoul]

"A sheriff has no authority to arrest you for something that doesn't violate some law."

No authority doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

[wardaddy]

If I'm not mistaken, Judge Moore has to wait to see if USSC will hear the case, but they refused to stay the order to remove the monument now.

BTW, what is it many of you Catholics and Orthodox here (I'm leaving the Jews outta this) have with Protestantism and Christian Conservatives.....that is driving your zeal here, it's so transparent. You're all hiding behind some the "Separation Wall" dogma which is nothing more than living breathing document hogwash.

You wish to look at the history and how it's gone down between your sects and ours. I'm part Huguenot, you guys have a lot of gall to be judging us (falsely) for using the state to impose religion.

It's plain to me that many of you simply don't care for Protestantism....particularly that which is unashamedly culturally Conservative.

What was so wrong with Montag's posts btw?

[inquest]

For example, the judge could say -- no camera in the building -- or no large packages -- or no handbags. If you attempt to bring one of those in, you will be arrested.

I don't believe that's true unless we're talking about an actual court case. Then he can hold you in contempt of court and all that kind of stuff. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure his power is simply limited to having his underlings remove you from the premises.

Now, whjere he erects a monument in the building exalting the judeo-christian God over all other sources of law he has, by regulation, esatblished a religion on the premises.

You can call it a "religion" if you want, but what he has not done is that which the Alabama constitution prohibits, namely give a preference to a "sect, society, denomination, or mode of worship."

[concerned about politics]

No, most of the hostility towards the ACLU is justified by their jihad to turn the Bill of Rights on its head and subvert the Constitution with the help of Marxist judges. This is indeed an excellent case in point for opposing the ACLU and doing everything in our power to destroy it as the America-hating terror group it has become.

Yep. Facism through litigation.

[Lurking Libertarian]

I'm sorry, but in all the reporting of the judges who "overruled" Judge Moore, no one has explained who the hell asked them!!? On what point of law were they making a decision? What case? What court? What jurisdiction did they have on the particular case? Who submited the specific case upon which these judges just ruled? Upon what grounds did they make their judgement?

Alabama law provides that the Chief Judge can make rules governing the operation of the Courthouse, and that a majority of the court can modify those rules. It was that procedure which was used. Attorney General Pryor was the one who came up with this plan.

[missyme]

Do you ever think we would have a American President be a practicing Hindu or Buddhist? I am saying that the law of our land has come from a religion that confesses Judeo-Christian Principles. Some Jews and some Christians might have there differences when it come to Jesus Christ but we do not embrace other faiths to be a moral code that we live by.

[talleyman]

Evangelical Christians arrested on Mormon plaza By The Associated Press

Thank God they weren't apprehended by the New York Times!

[inquest]

He's not administering a law. And mind your manners.

[wardaddy]

Your sound observance apparently passes over many a pointed little head here.

[jethropalerobber]

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game.

you are correct.
that is why the right to pray has never been infringed in this country.

what's that? you want to use the PA system? you want to say your prayer through the bullhorn of the state?

"and when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. verily I say unto you, they have their reward."

[inquest]

Moore has a legal mandate to administer the judicial building.

He's administering a building, not a law. Executive branch officers administer laws in their day-to-day activities. Judicial officers administer laws only when they're adjudicating a case.

[talleyman]

"Exception that proves the rule."

[lugsoul]

The response seems to indicate agreement with your characterization.

[missyme]

S what moral code should the United States live by?
How about the one that this country was founded on?

Israel has the right to make Judiasm the law of there land do we not have the same right?

[Happy2BMe]

"The United States has always been founded on Judeo-Christian Theology if someone else thinks that it's offensive then they should move to a country where there not offended."

True . . up until 1948 when the U.S.S.C. ruled religious instruction in public schools was unconstitutional.

1954: The Supreme Court let stand a lower court ruling, Tudor v. Board of Education against the distribution of Bibles by outside groups like the Gideons.

1962: The Supreme Court, in Engel v. Vitale disallowed a government-composed, nondenominational "Regents" prayer which was recited by students.

1963: In a number of major decisions (Murray v. Curlett; Abington Township School district v. Schempp) mandatory Bible verse recitation was ruled unconstitutional.

The rest is history.

So is the fact that the killing of babies through abortion is now legal (without parental consent).

So is the fact that America now has the distinction of incarcerating more prisoners than any country in the world.

We have the highest crime rate in the world.

We have the highest drug abuse rate in the world.

The nuclear traditional family is no longer considered the "norm."

One thing is for sure, GOD is no longer in control of the American judicial system, it's media, it's schools, it's people.

[TankerKC]

I'm offended that I can’t covet my neighbor's ox or ass.

[lugsoul]

Since you persist - what law is the principal administering?

Talk about circular.

[inquest]

"A sheriff has no authority to arrest you for something that doesn't violate some law."

No authority doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I'm sure it does happen, but he's clearly out of bounds when it does. Moore, on the other hand, is within his authority in decorating the building, so the distinction fails.

[george wythe]

Monumental clash over Ten Commandments

Not long after winning with the support of Southern Baptists, Judge Moore teamed up with a sculptor and designed a two-ton carved stone monument of the Ten Commandments.

In the dark of night and without the approval of other members of the state's highest court, or even the building superintendent, Moore erected the tablets in the lobby – he says to make an important point about the moral foundation of American law.

The monument is such a hit with some Christians that many have arrived by the busload to view it, with some kneeling and pray before it like a holy shrine.