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"A monument to the Ten Commandments should be allowed to stand in a state courthouse."
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| Total # of Responses: 642 - 2/7/04 |
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51% |
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3% |
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1% |
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3% |
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41% |
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We have received feedback on this issue from people all across America. Review the graph to the left for a quick snapshot of the responses received to date, or read the responses below.
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Eric, AZ
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... This is a democracy isn't it?
... 
January 28,2004
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I think the monument is a good symbol and , aesthetically, a neat thing, I don't have a problem with it being displayed. I do believe in separation of church and state. Why not put it to a vote instead of trying to settle it in the courts? This is a democracy isn't it?
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David, TN
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... should be displayed
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January 28,2004
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The monument of the ten commandments should be displayed if nothing other than to testify that man was and is unable to fulfill the law(s) as stated. It should remind us that we are unable to meet God's standards on our own.
The scriptures even state that the "law(s)" condemned man. we are no longer under the law because Christ's death and resurrection has supplanted the law.
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Allan, AZ
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... defies the consititution's
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January 28,2004
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This truly defies the consititution's separation of religion and state just as "In God We Trust" and swearing on the bible does.
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Mark, TX
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... reminds me that I should not lie
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January 28,2004
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A visual monument to the Ten Commandments reminds me that I should not lie. As an Attorney or other. I am rewarded to lie, twist the truth, or support a lie. Therefore I am convicted every time I see it and in many ways wish for its removal. Believer or not.
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Fred, IL
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... twisting the intent of the founding fathers
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January 28,2004
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This country has a historical Judeo-Christian foundation. It's sad that a changing US culture, liberal arm twisting, and psuedo-intellectual revisionist ideas are twisting the intent of the founding fathers and the heritage they established for us. How about a national referendum to resolve this issue?
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Dennis, MO
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... should be in a christian church ...
January 28,2004
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I find the need of the right wing fundamentalist to push their beliefs on everyone irksome. The monument should be in a christian church. The state house should be for state business, the business of all the people.
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Douglas, MI
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... created by and for God
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January 28,2004
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The ten commandments have been the basis of common law for ages. They are respected not only by Jews and Christians but by Moslems and many others as well.
Installing the ten commandments does not create a law respecting any particular establishment of religion. Banning them does abridge the freedom of speech of the person who donated them to the public.
This country was created by and for God fearing men. We can not retain our rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and others, if we abandon the god who has endowed us with these rights.
Our courts recently seem to forget that this country and its constitution are based on the fact that there is a god, and that the exact nature of that god is a matter for the individual to determine for himself.
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Edwina, CO
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... should be allowed to stand. ...
January 28,2004
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I think it should be allowed to stand. This country was founded by those who professed themselves to be Christians and therefore we can say founded on Christian principles. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other middle eastern nations are founded/ruled by those believing in Islamic principles. I wouldn't go to any of those countries and expect them to disregard their beliefs and practices, which have been in place long before I was even born, just because I do not share them.
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Kenny, CO
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... the voice of the people
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January 28,2004
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What everyone has overlooked is the voice of the people should be spoken by the majority. If the majority wants to display the Ten Commandments then so be it. I am growing tired of compromising to special interests.
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Dana, OK
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... should be allowed
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January 28,2004
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I strongly agree that the Ten Commandment statue should be allowed in our courthouses our schools, and In other goverment buildings. If you look at the U.S. Supreme Court they still open every session with prayer. I dont understand why certain people in this country are so against anything that stands for the God that this country was founded upon.
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Gary, AZ
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... basis of Western Law
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January 28,2004
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The Ten commandments have been the basis of Western Law for centuries. Who is trying to have them removed? Our Moslem neighbors? Or Hindi? I think it is those who want to do whatever they want and want the rest of us to let them.
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Holly, NM
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... founded on the separation
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January 28,2004
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This country was founded on the separation of church and state. Our founding fathers had the forsight to add this to our constitution. If this country was founded on the 10 commandments then why are we at war killing other people? The commandment doesn't say Thou shall not kill except...... seems like this current administration manipulates religion when convenient.
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Jim, CO
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... am I excluded?
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January 28,2004
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A particular religion in the peoples courthouse. As a Buddhist am I excluded?
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David, CT
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... why would someone be offended
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January 28,2004
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What's wrong with posting the Ten Commandments? I thought we were supposed to be tolerant of all different religions. If thats so,then why would someone be offended with seeing them?
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Stanley Hu, SC
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... basis of all our laws ...
January 28,2004
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As a former U.S. Military member I still remember a catch phrase used un messages to indicate a job very well done. It is "BZ" for Bravo Zulu. To the ousted judge from my birth state of Alabama I say BZ. I as an American am proud of you on so many plains. It takes heroic brazen guts to stand up for what is right in this day and time.
To say that I "Strongly Agree" with the "Ten Commandments" being posted in or around a court of law would be a gross understatement. If anyone would stop and realize, the "Ten Commandments" are the basis of all our laws here in the United States. They are the fundamental basis of all aspects of our government. The "Ten Commandments" are not just merely some aspect of the Christian faith, rather the basic fundimental of living with others. An outstanding guideline if you will. A courtroom is an outstanding place for such an item. In my openion the "Ten Commandments" have absolutely nothing to do with the division of church and state. It is however an intricate part of all our laws.
Again to the Alabama Judge, BZ and keep up the fight. It's nice to know of a true American who is not afraid to stand up for RIGHT !
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Lucy A, Wa, CO
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... LIVE A GOOD LIFE
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January 28,2004
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I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE CONSTANTLY NEED TO BE REMINDED WHAT WE ARE TO DO IN ORDER TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE WITH EACH OTHER. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TELL US HOW TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE TOGETHER, IN HARMONY.IT SHOULD BE DISPLAYED MORE OFTEN IN THE PUBLIC EYES, ANYWHERE!! THE STATE WAS BUILT AROUND GOD AND COUNTRY.
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Bob, PA
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... I would be very afraid
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January 28,2004
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A woman who strongly agrees makes the case for Americans to strongly disagree. She writes, “the Declaration Of Independence of this great nation gives acknowledgement to the Christian God”. She doesn’t even realize how scary that statement can be to other Americans. It is the Judeo-Christian God. If I was a Muslim American walking into that courthouse I would be very afraid about my day in court
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Gary Vande, IA
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... not contrary to the founder's
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January 28,2004
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It is not contrary to the founder's documents, ideas, or practices to have the ten commandments on display.
Whole books of examples could be given: here is one: the Appendix to the Northwest ordinance of 1787 passed by Congress states that section 16 shall be for education and section 29 in each township be "for purposes of religion" in order that churches might be established and pastors salaries paid. By education they meant teaching the Bible in the Protestant tradition along with the other subjects.
Another example: On May 20, 1785, July 27, 1787, and September 3, 1788, Congress granted lands to the Moravian Brethern for the purposes of propagating the Gospel of Christ among the Indians.
A whole book of examples such as this is "Separation of Church and State, the myth revisited" by Norm De Jong and J. Van Der Slik.
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Matt, TX
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... have a historical relevance
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January 28,2004
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I do not feel that this is not an issue of "Separation of Church and State". The founding fathers established the backbone of the United States Constitution, Articles of Confederation, and Declaration of Independence based upon their faith. With that, wouldn't the Ten Commandments have a historical relevance to be monumented at court house where these legal documents are regulated and enforced?
I believe so.
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Gary Vande, IA
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... not contrary to the founder's documents
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January 28,2004
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It is not contrary to the founder's documents, ideas, or practices to have the ten commandments on display.
Whole books of examples could be given: here is one: the Appendix to the Northwest ordinance of 1787 passed by Congress states that section 16 shall be for education and section 29 in each township be "for purposes of religion" in order that churches might be established and pastors salaries paid. By education they meant teaching the Bible in the Protestant tradition along with the other subjects.
Another example: On May 20, 1785, July 27, 1787, and September 3, 1788, Congress granted lands to the Moravian Brethern for the purposes of propagating the Gospel of Christ among the Indians.
A whole book of examples such as this is "Separation of Church and State, the myth revisited" by Norm De Jong and J. Van Der Slik.
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