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.

... rules of God outweigh ...

January 28,2004

The rules of God outweigh the rules of man. If all obeyed the 10 Commandments this world would be a better place.

... We need only to look at Iran, Afghanistan, or Turk ...

January 27,2004

There needs to be a separation of church and state. The ten commandments do not belong in a courthouse in the US. We need only to look at Iran, Afghanistan, or Turkey to know that it is extremely divisive to combine government and religion.

... I object to organized religions attempting to forc ...

January 27,2004

I object to organized religions attempting to force their beliefs on other people, no matter how well meant the attempt.

... Thou shalt not worship graven images ...

January 27,2004

Thou shalt not worship graven images

... it is one of the glues that holds the fabric of ou ...

January 27,2004

While offensive to a very tiny percentage of Americans, the country was founded on Christian principles and it is one of the glues that holds the fabric of our country together

... I believe one should be outside every state courth ...

January 27,2004

Amen, finally a real man who will stand on what is right. Having the monument of the Ten Commandments outside his courthouse sends a message that hear lies a God fearing man. I believe one should be outside every state courthouse as well as the White House. As for seperation of church and state, it was set to get keep the government from messing around with church funding, and practices. Not for keeping religion out of our government.

... out country was based on God ...

January 27,2004

I think that the monument should be allowed for the fact that out country was based on God. They knew then that everything they gained was because God gave it to them. If you go back and look at how this country was formed and some of the things said you will come to see that God played a bigger role than you think. God bless america. You say that to our troops but do you really mean it if you don't think we should express God in our country. God gives us all we have and we should be thankful for our blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... Only an idiot needs the threat of eternal damnatio ...

January 27,2004

Only an idiot needs the threat of eternal damnation hanging over him to know right from wrong and social responsibity.

... The phrase "separation of church and state" is n ...

January 27,2004

"In God We Trust" engraved upon our money; the phrase: "under God" in our pledge of allegiance; and the President placing his hand on the Bible during the swearing-in ceremony all reflect a fundamental historical fact: this country's laws and constitution were designed upon the laws and precepts found in the Bible. The exclusion of the Ten Commandements from a state courthouse is contrary to the laws upon which this country was founded. The phrase "separation of church and state" is no where to be found in the constitution. Jefferson used the term in a letter to a certain Christian denomination to assure them that the United States was not going to make a another certain denomination the official denomination of the United States. The pharse was used to explain the the church was to be protected from the government. This fear was quite prevalent at this time because of what had occured in England where the Church of England was the official church.

If you are interested, the works of author David Barton clearly document the historical significance of the Bible upon the framer's thoughts and eventual drafting of the constitution. He uses the founders own words and writings.

... it's simply reinforcing the faith in the one true ...

January 27,2004

First of all, the phrase "separation of church and state" does not even exist in the Constitution. It came about as a result of the misinterpretation of the First Amendment which states that the people of America shall have the right to the freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM the religion of others. Placing the Ten Commandments in a courthouse is not forcing anyone to believe in them that doesn't wish to, it's simply reinforcing the faith in the one true God upon which this country was founded.

... The US Supreme Ct's have it on there wall's. ...

January 27,2004

The US Supreme Ct's have it on there wall's.

... The truth of our history resides in its God center ...

January 27,2004

Is not our morality based on this historical document as well as alot of our laws?? I belive this is a historical document of great importance especially in regard to law, civil order and respect. I believe it is has a direct relationship to the history of this nation and the foundations of our democracy which sets us apart from other nations. If you followed those laws maybe there would be no need for a courthouse??? I believe this is not as much a religious statement as it is a historical document & the basis of beliefs in the very men who wrote our laws and founded its system. Show me the harm in this! The truth of our history resides in its God centered foundation & welcoming of all who seek freedom. Take it or leave it they are words for thought and you are free to choose your beliefs no matter where you find it expressed.

... The commandments are already all over our governme ...

January 27,2004

The commandments are already all over our government buildings; what's one more among friends?

... God was a shortened form of the word, the concept= ...

January 27,2004

in the Saxon and twenty other tongues God was a shortened form of the word, the concept==Good. The name of the Old Testament Creator always referred to power-evidenced in the nature of the relationship between Good and Good's idea man. This was a constant reminder to the children of Israel of the power of The Lord God of Israel over their Exodus from the slavery in Egypt. To symbolically include the concept of Good's power over the enemy---bigotry, hatred, slavery,etcetc in the pledge of alliegance is aligning judeo-christianity (and its languages)to that power which represents freedom.

... it is the ultimate irony to display the words "TH ...

January 27,2004

I believe that the state , by displaying the 10 Commandments, is endorsing a particular religion(Judeo-Christian) which is prohibited under our constitution. I also think that it is the ultimate irony to display the words "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" in a courthouse that hands down death sentences. Is the religious presence of the tablets more important than the meaning of the words?

... Not in My America. ...

January 27,2004

Not in My America.

... They are mans first laws. ...

January 27,2004

The 10 commandments are not one mans monument. I would suggest you read the book of Exodus in the Bible. The 10 commandments were written by the finger of GOD. They were given to Moses by GOD as a set of instructions and laws for by which man should live.
They are mans first laws.
I consider it a privilege for these to be displayed in public. I should remind us of two things: one: God cares for man and wants us to do the right things. Second: It should remind us that there is a superior being that created each of us.
Do you think God does not want to be a part of man, his creation? God never intended man to be apart from him. It was man, through the original sin, that seperated man from God. It is man who chooses not to be a part with God and that is why God made us free moral agents.
This is where debate begins on several religious issues. I am not here to tell you how to live only to point out that the 10 commandments were written by God for man. These 10 commandments are the basis on which all laws have been written since.

... Regardless of how comforting they may be to you, t ...

January 27,2004

And where does the Koran and Torah belong? Your ancient superstitious beliefs have absolutely no place in an enlightened world. Regardless of how comforting they may be to you, they offend many. There is no “God” – only man’s ignorance, fear, and superstition. Man’s religion only reflects his arrogance.

... The court house is about making laws civilly not r ...

January 27,2004

There is a very good reason for there to be a separation of the church and the state. Christians wouldn't want a monument of something in the Qur'an to be on display in the courthouse. How does that make them feel? It makes them feel as if a concept that is more related to Muslims is more important than one of Christians. The court house is about making laws civilly not religiously. It doesn't take away any rights of a religious group. It just makes sure that everyone is treated equally, which is what this country is about.

... The Ten Commandments are the very way we should be ...

January 27,2004

The Ten Commandments are the very way we should be living our lives. This country isn"t perfect cause its people aren't but without these laws where would we be, if fact where are we going if we remove them.