Harris County (Houston, TX) must remove Bible displayed at courthouse

Houston Chronicle ^ | 8/10/04 | RAD SALLEE

[truthandlife]

.S. District Judge Sim Lake ruled today that a Bible displayed in a monument outside the Harris County Civil Courts Building must be removed within 10 days and that the county must pay $41,000 in court costs and attorney fees.

Real estate broker and attorney Kay Staley sued the county in federal court to have the monument removed, contending the display violates the First Amendment ban on an establishment of religion.

The King James Bible rests under glass inside a 4-foot stone monument on the west side of the Civil Courthouse, 301 Fannin.

The monument was constructed with private funds in the 1950s as a memorial to philanthropist William S. Mosher.

During a two-day hearing last week, the county contended that the display primarily honors Mosher, while the plaintiffs said it unconstitutionally promoted a specific religion at a government facility.

[Askel5]

Moron ...

It's the ghost of freakin' Christmas past still stalking the place as if substance mattered over symbol, facts matter more than opinoin and the Natural Moral Law matter more than "strict constitutionalism" sans any relation to the inalienable truths set forth in the Declaration.

[KingsKindred]

I think Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) said it the best...
" I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace. And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing his hand of blessing and protection. "

[pollywog]

This breaks my heart. We are headed down a slippery slope VERY FAST NOW.....Christians, hold on to your seatbelts!!!! Here we go.

[Dataman]

"Separation of church and state," is the excuse they usually hide behind. If that were really the motivation, we could expect these do-badders to be all over government for its sloppy adherence to the Constitution.... but they aren't... which very strongly suggests another motive which seems to be, simply and obviously, hatred for Christianity.

It may be even more thought-provoking to attempt to discover the reason why the hatred exists though the pattern has become fairly plain over the past 5 decades.

[Ditter]

Hummmmm, the name Staley sounds familiar to me I don't get good feelings when I hear it.

[johnb838]

We may yet get the chance to be martyred for the Lord.

[RoseofTexas]

I think Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) said it the best...
" I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace. And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing his hand of blessing and protection. "

This is WHY I refuse to stop praying for our country, our military men and women, our future generation, our children, our church, etc. etc. God still hears the prayers of his children! I believe, if it weren't for the prayers of his saints, this country would've gone down the tubes long ago. GOD is a gentle, wonderful gentleman indeed....that's why I love him so! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[hushpad]

So, she's a real estate broker huh?

I know lots of people in that area.

Maybe it's time she lost some business.

[XenaLee]

What an ugly old bitch. That sure figures. I have YET to see an anti-God/anti-Christian leftist that wasn't ugly inside AND out.

Figures. How about a citizen's action committee to KEEP the display? Anyone game?

[Askel5]

Hey Dataman! An oldie on the subject ... The Western War on Christianity Goes Unreported

Honestly, I'd love to start a Blog on that topic here and ping in some of the greats for thoughts on the subject.

Ever read the Chronicles of Narnia? I hang with a bunch of Dufflepuds elsewhere who waver between fear and loathing always. Just read through a thread today of the same-old same-old garbage you used to get here before internecine fighting because the "Christian" sport of choice.

[XenaLee]

Typical leftist (socialist = communist w/a smiley face) reply. Hint: It ain't YOUR money to spend. And it NEVER will be.

[wjcsux]

What an ugly old bitch. That sure figures. I have YET to see an anti-God/anti-Christian leftist that wasn't ugly inside AND out.
I have noticed the same thing. All of the leftist, feminist, anti-God, anti-male women I have encountered are butt ugly. Its ugly from the inside out.

[XenaLee]

Here's her email address which I found online (assuming it's still active), if anyone has a sudden urge to send her a communication:

Kay Staley
Kay Staley Real Estate
2607 Bissonnet
Houston, Texas 77005
Phone: 713-523-9211
Fax: 713-522-2272
Email: kays@hal-pc.org

[HipShot]

"Real estate broker and attorney Kay Staley sued the county in federal court to have the monument removed, contending the display violates the First Amendment ban on an establishment of religion."

What exactly was the foundation for her claim?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 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.

Is she claiming that the Houston Judicial system is congress?

Is she claiming that this obscure branch of congress invented christianity?

Any other interpretation doesn't apply.

[XenaLee]

Yeah. Funny thing about some Christians (like me)....

I find it hard, if not impossible, to turn the other cheek to the likes of her and her 'ilk'. I'd rather fight than switch.

[HipShot]

"Stooping to conquer ... how very Christian.

We'll show her what Christianity's all about, eh?"

Being judgemental and condescending is SO much more reflective of Christianity.

[Mr. Lucky]

You do know that he has been President for four years don't you?

[XenaLee]

Logic and/or reason has nothing to do with anti-God leftist ""thinking"" (term used loosely in their case).

I stopped trying to 'understand' where they were coming from a LONG time ago. I finally figured out that, if I ever DO start understandting them, I'll be doomed, just as they are.

[HipShot]

You don't have to turn the other cheek to evil.