Movers Haul Away Ten Commandments in Montgomery

FOXNews.com ^ | Wednesday, August 27, 2003

[NWO Slave]

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A chorus of demonstrators joined an irate man in screaming "Put it back!" Wednesday morning after a monument of the Ten Commandments was wheeled away from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.

"Get your hands off our God, God haters!" yelled the wildly gesturing, red-faced man who initiated the chanting.

Workers used a dolly to move the 5,280-pound granite marker from the rotunda to another, undisclosed place in the courthouse building.

Meanwhile, a Wednesday afternoon hearing to consider a lawsuit to keep the monument in the rotunda was canceled.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Mobile on behalf of a Christian radio talk show host and a pastor, says forced removal of the monument would violate the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.

Christian Defense Coalition Director Patrick Mahoney told the crowd of demonstrators that he wasn't told where the monument had been taken.

Because of its size and weight, the marker was presumably moved to another location on the ground floor of the building.

Mahoney said the monument would not be covered, and that he would be allowed inside to see it once it was moved. Mahoney said he was informed of the plans by building manager Graham George.

Mahoney didn't know whether the monument's new location would be accessible to the public.

The federal court had said the monument could be in a private place in the building but not in the highly visible spot in the rotunda directly across from the building's entrance.

Protest organizers asked the crowd outside not to rush the building or do anything else except pray. Some people seemed to be listening, with dozens kneeling, bowing or lying face-down in prayer in front of the judicial building and on the steps before and after the monument's removal.

The marker was wheeled away in a matter of minutes.

A federal judge in Montgomery ruled last year that the monument, which Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore (search) installed two years ago, violates the Constitution's ban on government promotion of religion and ordered its removal by Aug. 20. The U.S. Supreme Court last week declined to hear Moore's appeal.

But Moore refused to comply. Eight associate justices voted Aug. 21 to remove the monument, and Moore was suspended the next day.

Attorney General Bill Pryor, defending the associate justices, filed a motion Tuesday afternoon to dismiss the latest lawsuit, saying the Mobile court lacks jurisdiction and the complaint lacks merit.

About 150 monument supporters marched on Pryor's office Tuesday, demanding he resign for supporting the associate justices' decision. Seven representatives were allowed inside to meet with Pryor's chief deputy for about 20 minutes. The rest remained outside, chanting, "Resign now! Resign now!"

Gatherings of pro-monument demonstrators outside the judicial building have grown each day in the past week to at times number in the hundreds.

People seeking removal of the monument from its public site had said they were grateful that it was finally being moved, a week after the deadline set by a federal judge.

"This is a tremendous victory for the rule of law and respect for religious diversity," the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said before the monument was rolled out of the rotunda. "Perhaps Roy Moore will soon leave the bench and move into the pulpit, which he seems better suited for."

Lynne's organization was among groups suing to remove Moore's monument, which he installed without telling the other eight Supreme Court justices.

Demonstrators promised to keep up their protests of the removal.

"If it takes 75 years to reclaim this land for righteousness, God find us and our children and our children's children ready," said the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the national clergy council.

Affirmative Action Judge Opposing Judge Roy Moore

[RoughDobermann]

Why do you think I'm here? I view this threads to be very informative, on both sides (f.Christian exempted). I just don't like to be bothered at home.

[My2Cents]

Did I say they broke in and stole people's Bibles? I said that in some cities, police have knocked on the doors of homes where Bible studies are held and have told the homeowners they can't have their meetings any longer because the cars of those who attend take up all the available parking on the street. These people were parked legally. The police had no standing to make the request that the meetings stop happening. It was an attempt at intimidation.

Of course there are many police officers who are solid Christians, or solidly religious in general. There are many conservatives who are also solidly religious, but look at the opposition Christianity gets on threads such as this, in a conservative discussion site. Sorry you're oblivious to the war on religion, particularly the Christian religion, in this country.

[Woahhs]

I'd say it was whatever number of the Commandment against taking "the Lord's name in vain," since that's what this has all been.

On what basis would you come to that conclusion?

Moore has used the 10 Commandments and this monument as a personal platform to get himself elected to the Supreme Court of Alabama, and appears to be using it to seek even more power.

Pretty sweeping conclusion. Can you support it with anything other than insinuation?

[nfldgirl]

Since I do not share your faith, I consider your assertion to be an opinion, not fact

Ya want the last word? I'll give you the last word....[tag-you're it!]

[wardaddy]

Shame this thread about Rush's take on the Moore issue was moved to chat.

Why AM?

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/971391/posts?q=1&&page=1#1

Many of the anti-pluralists here were sure he'd jump on their bandwagon ...wrong!

He said the courts were wrong and explained why. He also said that unfortunately Moore had to obey the courts. So much for Rush's zeal for the "wall of separation" so loved by many here..lol

[mhking]

"Get your hands off our God, God haters!" yelled the wildly gesturing, red-faced man who initiated the chanting.

If that's God to him, he's got some major issues that he needs to address.

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[RoughDobermann]

Ya want the last word?

Not at all. I would like an answer to my question, however.

I'll give you the last word....[tag-you're it!]

What are you trying to accomplish?

[MineralMan]

"I said that in some cities, police have knocked on the doors of homes where Bible studies are held and have told the homeowners they can't have their meetings any longer because the cars of those who attend take up all the available parking on the street."

What cities, please? I've asked several times. Do you know what cities these were, or is this some story you read on some web site that didn't list the cities? If that's the case, then I doubt the story's true at all. If you know it to be true, then you must know what cities these were.

[kegler4]

But exactly why would a police department want to intimidate people studying the Bible? There are streets, you know, where only residents are allowed to park. And police will always respond if there's a complaint.

Could you please tell where and when this happened? Perhaps a little documentation? I simply cannot believe that police across the nation are breaking up Bible studies.

[Woahhs]

Why do you think I'm here?

I've seen no reason to conclude your position is anything but adversarial toward the theism. Perhaps you could refresh my memory.

[RoughDobermann]

I'm here because I like to hear both/all sides of an argument. Do I tend towards the side of non-religious folk? Yes, but I still like to give consideration to what religious people have to say.

[MineralMan]

Well here's one case:

http://www.warroom.com/biblestudy.htm

But it's not clear what the zoning ordinance actually says. I'd be interested in finding out what has happened with this and to actually read the zoning ordinance.

[jimt]

There are many conservatives who are also solidly religious, but look at the opposition Christianity gets on threads such as this, in a conservative discussion site.

I've seen very little, if any, opposition to Christianity on this or any other thread on this subject. I have seen opposition to Judge Moore's using his secular government position to advance his religious views. I'd oppose that if he were a Satanist, a Moslem, a Jew, or any religious persuasion.

[sport]

Please tell me where the words "seperation of Church and State" are found verbatim in the First Amendment. I found: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishing of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abriging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

The above was typed verbatim from BLACKS LAW DICTIONARY Fifth Edition

Nowhere could I find the words,"Separation of Church and State", perhaps you could enlighten me.

[jimt]

Including atheist. If he put up a "God is dead" monument it should be treated the same.

[jonathanmo]

Since she won't jump in, this is probably one instance of "harassment" she has in mind...

A couple from Denver, Colo. have launched a suit against the city, challenging a zoning ordination that limits them to one home Bible study per month. David and Diane Reiter argue that a cease-and-desist order by the city zoning office is unconstitutional. The Reiters began hosting weekly Bible studies in their home in March 1998. The meetings drew 8-10 women per week. Neighbours complained about parking difficulties. In October 1998, the city ordered them to limit the number of meetings to one per month. A Denver zoning official said the ordinance gives the city the authority to protect residential neighbourhoods from any activity that is unreasonable, uncommon or disruptive, including football parties, yard sales and religious meetings. The suit contends that the Reiters have complied with noise, parking and traffic requirements. The city’s order makes no mention of parking violations. – Evangelical Press News Service

[nfldgirl]

This is where the discussion breaks down - characterizing a firmly held belief for one person as a fact for others. "Facts" should be observable. The "Good News" idea is demonstrably not observable.

No it doesn't and yes it is. Will you not agree that there is a book of written words, titled the "Bible." Within that "book" with numerous sections, chapters, pages, etc., there is a "story", a theme, a plot that is woven throughout from cover-to-cover. If one were to read the Bible as strictly a "story" -- a fictional one at that -- then it's a story that starts and ends on a positive note, with a positive message, with a whole lot of intensity in between. The "GOOD NEWS" as detailed in the "story" is the focal point of plot/theme, within the context of the "fictional" story itself. So, for those of you who choose to disavow the contents, you're perfectly within your right to do so, but it doesn't negate the FACT that there is a BOOK called the BIBLE with a story therein that points to GOOD NEWS as delineated throughout the text. THAT, my friend, is fact.

[Onelifetogive]

The currrent Alabama governor is trying to raise taxes to provide for the poor. Lets get him out of there and get a good Christian governor who knows that God doesn't want us providing for the poor, he wants us to put up statues.

I am assuming that you made this inane post to get flamed....I will oblige you!

God wants YOU to provide for the poor from YOUR money. He has not encouraged you to steal from you neighbors to give to the poor.

[vikingcelt]

This is really, really, really getting on my nerves: "Would she have taken it if her parents hadn't forced Christianity upon her?" There is something quite vile about this sentence, this question. If your parents are Christian it is perfectly natural and normal that the parents would want their children to be Christians also. I grew up in a family that was a Christian family. My mother was the one mainly involved with the church. She taught Sunday School and went to church. My father would go to church when he had to (i.e. Easter and Christmas...usually). My brother and I went to Sunday School and to church. It was hardly "forced" upon us. Later in life I no longer went to church. I no longer attended church services but I never lost my belief in G-d. Now I am ready to find the church I want to attend and belong to and go again. Your comment which I have read repeatedly on this thread pretty much ad naseum "Would she have taken it if her parents hadn't forced Christianity upon her?" I find to be extremely offensive to Christian families. And I am sick and tired to the nth degree of so-called atheists trying to cram their disbelief and their godlessness down our throats all the while in an attempt to take away our freedom of religion. By the way, no where in the Constitution is the phrase "separation of Church and State." I did learn this morning that it IS in the constitution of the USSR. So what does that mean? I think it means that we are headed for communism where the state is the church and where the state sees itself as G-d. The times ahead will be interesting to say the least.