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.

... totally appropriate ...

January 27,2004

It is totally appropriate for the Ten Commandments and other scriptures that are the backbone of the reason for our nations foundation to be displayed openly. Every nation displays its founders and religious pricipals. If you go to India or parts of Asia you will see monuments to Budda and Hindu dieties. In the Middle East the symbols of Islam and the Muslim religion are publicly and privately displayed. America was founded on the principal of religious freedom by Christians desiring to worship freely. Unlike many nations that forbid worship of other gods, we embrace the freedom to let all religions worship freely so don't tell us that we can't display any symbols of the religion that we and our forfathers have embraced since the beginning of this nations history.

... God given right ...

January 27,2004

The mother of all laws are the laws of the God Almighty, which are the Ten Commandments from which all other goodly laws stem from. It is written,'Man shall not live from bread alone but from every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'

What happened to freedom of religion? Why try to stifly Christianity's or Judaism's belief in the Ten Commandments. Do not try to steal what God has given us. It's our God given right to abide by, worship and have the peace of mind that we can go to and view the Ten Commandments where ever we abide. All remains in the hands of God. 'Fools despise wisdom.'

... be allowed to stand ...

January 27,2004

Under no circumstances should the Ten Commandments or any other religious icon be allowed to stand in a state courthouse. Even if our public officials adhered to them, which they don't. Too often, religion is used to justify acts of "evil."

... not in a government ...

January 27,2004

The ten commandements belongs in a church not in a government building!!!!!!!!!!!!

... ought to be permitted ...

January 27,2004

No religious doctrine of any sort ought to be permitted in government buildings or functions in order to preserve absolutely the freedom of every citizen to have any or no belief regarding a religion, a higher being, or a value system based thereon.

... act of intolerance ...

January 27,2004

the main core of the constitution is to assure our freedom, and any act of intolerance is against the constitution, so if anyone deny my right to belive or disbelive in god is an act of intolerance, and it is against the constitution.

... quick to condemn ...

January 27,2004

Our country was founded on Biblical principles. Why are these standards so offensive to people? Do they want the choice to steal, to kill, or bear false witness against their neighbor? If opponents would take time to objectively read what they actually say maybe they wouldn't be so quick to condemn.

... How did we become so intolerant? ...

January 27,2004

Don't people see how divisive the monument can be? So because we live in America, and some of our forefathers proclaimed the name of God, now we are a nation that declares itself as a Christian state - as opposed to an Islamic state or any other creed for that matter - able to alienate everyone of every other religion? Sounds like the stuff that the pilgrims were escaping Europe from. How did we become so intolerant?

... we must be careful ...

January 27,2004

Having survived for several hundred years, why is this suddenly an issue now? Wait, I know! It's 2004 and we're now living in a time where we no longer need to honor God, right? Also, we must be careful that we don't offend non-believers, as well as those that believe differently.

... covered with scripture ...

January 27,2004

Yes - the 10 commandments is the basis of our laws and should be honored as such. Washington, D.C. is covered with scripture on public buildings.The Washington Monument has "Praise be to God" at the pinnacle. Should all these be removed from public view? The VAST MAJORITY of citizens by every poll taken disagree with the forced removal of the commandments.

... similar expression ...

January 27,2004

We should not allow any religious monument in a public place. If not, what stops other religious groups to have similar expression of their faith. Religion has no place in public places.

... why would anyone want ...

January 27,2004

Absolutely not. Not even many Christians follow the 10 Commandments ... so why would anyone want them placed in a government building? For instance, one commandment says to not commit adultery. The Bible defines divorce as adultery. How many Christians have broken that commandment?

... ignores that separation ...

January 27,2004

By placing the monument in front of courthouse, he seems to be indicating that there are two sets of laws he will judge by: civil law and Christian law. As a citizen, I don't feel comfortable knowing I might be judged based on one person's religious convictions. While civil law may not be perfect, it is set down by the people, constantly adapting to changes in our culture and perceptions. There are definite reasons for the separation of church and state. Placing the monument in front of a court house ignores that separation.

... must be a good foundation ...

January 27,2004

all laws,the bill of rights and the constitution were based on the bible and the ten commandments. as with any building there must be a good foundation :so also the true meaning of the decleration of independence, bill of rights and the constitution can only be found in the personal papers that were used in the debates of the founding fathers. one such debate can be found in the book entitled the federalist papers another book entitled original intent.

... What is the reason ...

January 27,2004

Given the rich, religious heritage of our great country and the bountiful blessings bestowed upon us as a God fearing nation, why would we even consider removing from public view tangible reminders of the source of these blessings? It was sheer lunacy that Judge More was removed from his judicial position on account of his brave stand to keep the ten commandments in a highly visible location. What is the reason for disallowing the ten commandments - is there some prevailing fear that if they're read someone might actually OBEY THEM???

... priority to only one religion ...

January 27,2004

When the founding fathers refered to God they did not specified a "Christian God". By allowing the ten commandments to stand in a state courthouse we are giving priority to only one religion. By the way, I prefer the jewish religion over other religions but I would not support the displayment of a David Star or a Menorah in a state courthouse.

... if it was scaled down ...

January 27,2004

I believe that a statue of the ten comandments should stay in the courthouse, if it was scaled down, and other religios documents such as the Koran and Hamurabies code should be displayed with it. Being from America I do have religious freedom as does everyone else in this country. If I was a Buddist entering court, seeing a monument that obviously demonstrates that the courts favored Judeo-Christian beliefs, I would not feel comfortable. I would like to add that I felt that the program was very informative, but several of the guests seemed to confuse the issues. First of all I did not like the common misconseption that democrats were not religious. As a democrat, I believe that everyone has their right to believe in what ever religion that they want. By seperating church and state, we are not trying to say that god does not matter, but that we believe no one religion should be favored over another. Second is the issue of marraige. Both guests stated that religious marraig and state marraige are not the same thing. Being an american meens freedom to practice any religion (or not practice any at all). If certain churches and religions do not want to allow marraige between homosexuals then they do not have to honor them. But the church does not complain about marrages between non-religious people. Why do they not try to stop them. The state should allow all marraige by any two consenting adults. It is not the belief of certain churches that dictate PUBLIC policy. I have wittnessed many religious marraiges where there was no love, honor, or mercy, and I have seen my homosexual uncle spend his life loving and honoring his partner. If there is a god he was more present in the lives and marrage of gays than heterosexuals. State sanctioned marrage must be honored, because for these people it is not about what a religious marrage meens, but what state marrage meens, which is a binding leagl contract between to people who want to go through !
life with each other. It is about their legal right to have hospital visitation rights and rights to assessets after death of a loved one. Finally, I must speak on those that say even Jefferson wanted god in our lives. I feel that many people in America are quick to assume that the word God means the god of the Judeo-Christian faith. Jefferson realized that all people believed in all sorts of gods. He was using the Word God as the actuall definition. A god is a supernatural diety. Jefferson was correct when he said in one nation under god, only if you use god as a general term refering to all gods. However today the word god has evolved to meen Judeo-Christian values, not just a supernatural entity, and in a world of globalization and more and more cultures finding their way to america, we must reword certain things to make ALL AMERICAN feel welcomed. We must remember that we are not removing god from our lives or saying that worshiping god is wrong. What I believe and what I think the democrats are trying to say is that we must remove certain religious beliefs, that are not shared by all americans, from parts of government and law which apply to ALL AMERICANS.

... should be displayed ...

January 27,2004

The basic tenets of our constitution are based upon the Bible. Statements and documents of our founding fathers all refer to our reliance on God. The Ten Commandments are basic to human existence and should be displayed.

... They should "walk the walk" ...

January 27,2004

I don't believe the government needs to show us the 10 Comandments. They should "walk the walk" not just "talk the talk"

... do not wish to have to see any religous icon ...

January 27,2004

As an Athiest, I do not wish to have to see any religous icon, monument, or have to deal with religion in any way when in a government institution (including schools).