The story was about legislation proposed in Kentucky that would permit the display of the ten commandments as a historical document. Don't remember if it passed.
There was a lot of coverage of it a few weeks ago. I ran a few searches for the story but couldn't find it.
kelikeshwcnetnet
Unregistered User
(5/17/00 8:51 pm) Reply
ten commandments.
RLB;
Just thought you'd like to know the outcome of your inquiry. I left the attached opinions (from another site), so you could see how citizens react.
Personally, it's business as usual for the government, and another slap in the face to normal everyday voters, who have no problem with the ten commandments being on a wall they've probably not seen at all.
Following is the article and opinions...
Banned in Kentucky: God, country, etc. 10 Commandments, Declaration of Independence, etc.
Government Front Page News Keywords: FREEDOMS, CONSTITUTION, ACLU
Source: WorldNetDaily
Published: May 17, 2000 Author: Julie Foster
Posted on 05/17/2000 18:21:07 PDT by Rockyrich
TESTING THE FAITH
Banned in Kentucky:
God, country, etc. 10 Commandments, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. motto
Today, schools and courthouses in eastern Kentucky are taking down displays of historical documents -- including the Mayflower Compact and the preamble to the state's constitution -- in compliance with an order from Federal District Judge Jennifer Coffman, who said the displays are a violation of the First Amendment.
Set up over the course of last year in Harlan County schools and the courthouses of McCreary and Pulaski counties, the displays have the effect of "conveying a very specific governmental endorsement of religion," says Coffman's order.
Beginning as postings of the Ten Commandments, the exhibits were augmented to include historical documents that show America's reliance on Judeo-Christian value systems in civic life.
According to Coffman's ruling, issued May 5, the additional documents were added by the schools and counties who "conceded that they did so in an attempt to bring the display within the parameters of the First Amendment and to insulate themselves" from a lawsuit filed by American Civil Liberties Union in November of last year.
The judge claimed, however, the revised displays still do not pass constitutional muster, as they were specifically designed to promote Christianity.
Displays contained the following documents:
an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, saying, "All men ... are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness";
the preamble to the Constitution of Kentucky, which states, "We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution";
the national motto, "In God we trust";
a page from the congressional record of Wednesday, Feb. 2, 1983, Vol. 129, No. 8, which declares 1983 as the "Year of the Bible" and lists the Ten Commandments;
a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan marking 1983 the "Year of the Bible";
a proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln designating April 30, 1863, a "National Day of Prayer and Humiliation";
an excerpt from President Lincoln's "Reply to Loyal Colored People of Baltimore upon Presentation of a Bible" reading, "The Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man";
the Mayflower Compact, in which the colony's founders invoke "the name of God" and explain that their journey was taken, among other reasons, "for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith."
Because displays originally included only the Ten Commandments, and because the revised displays still contained copies of them, Coffman refers to the displays throughout her ruling as "the Ten Commandments."
Defendants, including Judge Darrell BeShears of Pulaski County, who set up a display in his courthouse, maintain their purpose was to teach residents and students about American religious history and the foundations of the modern state.
However, Coffman said defendants "narrowly tailored" their selection of "foundational documents to incorporate only those with specific references to Christianity and texts that, while promulgated by the federal government, were chosen solely for their religious references."
"The display does not appear to have been intended to educate ... [c]ounty residents, in a balanced or accurate manner, about the traditions and texts that were drawn upon by this nation's founders or about the complex role religion has played in this country's history," she continued.
Coffman admitted "a display of some of these documents may not have the effect of endorsing religion in another context," but the defendants' motives and lack of a posted explanation that the display was to show "the documents' historical significance" render the exhibits unconstitutional.
Harlan, Pulaski and McCreary counties asked Coffman for a stay of the ruling during the appeals process, but the request was denied on the basis that the anonymous plaintiffs "will be substantially harmed ... because they will continue to suffer the violation of their constitutional rights."
"We certainly agree with her ruling," said Jeff Vessels, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. "[Coffman's] denial of the stay demonstrates that there is significant and immediate harm to the plaintiffs and that, in her judgment, there is little chance that these displays could be found constitutional."
Vessels indicated the counties had ulterior motives in including historical documents in the display. "The excerpts were selected because of their religious content," he said. "She saw right through that."
"The courts typically look at motivation or the purpose ... and they also look at the effect," Vessels told WorldNetDaily. "In this case, the purpose and effect [was] to clearly promote religion. The context is very critical. These kinds of displays really need to be looked at on a case-by-case basis."
Attorney Johnnie Turner, who represents the Harlan County schools, told WND the exhibited documents are mistakenly referred to as "excerpts."
"The only thing you can say is an excerpt ... is the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the Kentucky Constitution," he said.
Each display in Harlan County schools was accompanied by copies of a resolution passed by the school board on Dec. 30, 1999, encouraging the display of historical documents regardless of religious content, and a Kentucky statute authorizing the exhibit of founding, historical documents.
In fact, KRS 158.195, passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1992, states unequivocally: "There shall be no content-based censorship of American history or heritage in the Commonwealth based on religious references in these writings, documents, and records."
The counties have filed for an appeal, though attorneys may request that the case be remanded for clarification of the ruling.
"The judge says we cannot post anything similar. Does she mean we cannot post the Kentucky Constitution?" asked Turner, also a state legislator.
In reference to the Lincoln quote included in the exhibits, Turner asks, "How much of that document do you have to post" before it becomes constitutional?
"The American people better look at what's happening in these cases," he urged. "We are allowing ... our history to be censored and suppressed. Do we have to ask a judge each time, 'Do we have enough of [this document] up?' Or can the ACLU come in and say [the document] had a religious intent?"
"This holding is scary, and it should be scary to every American," Turner added. "The fight has just begun."
"With the good Lord's help, we shall win," the attorney concluded. "We need the prayers and support of Americans."
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Write your congressmen. I did and said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! This is the stuff riots and civil wars are started from. And that's the truth. Who are the FReepers in Kentuck?? If you need some help let us know!! Now is the hour!!
1 Posted on 05/17/2000 18:21:07 PDT by Rockyrich
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To: Rockyrich
From another post
Personally, I'm more offended when my money goes towards a Christmas party for children," Goyle says. "I don't think my temple gets money from you guys [taxpayers] and I'm not going to fight that because I know I'm part of a diverse society and I"m willing to contribute to that diverse society."
These nice women are taking your Christian country away..
2 Posted on 05/17/2000 18:32:59 PDT by BigDogFlyBoy
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To: Rockyrich
A decision like this will have to be appealed to a higher federal court. Your congressman can do nothing to help and that federal judge doesn't care if Freepers demonstrate until hell freezes over. LOL
3 Posted on 05/17/2000 18:35:29 PDT by Bloody Reaper
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To: Rockyrich
I suppose they will have to set up a 'Monetary Exchange Office' at the schools to exchange US money for scrip. The scrip will be used for all purchases in the schools.
The scrip will be devoid of the words 'In God We Trust"
4 Posted on 05/17/2000 18:47:43 PDT by Vinnie
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To: Rockyrich
Is this the truth? Only last year I was commenting as to how the liberals would eventually get around to having the Declaration of Independence unconstitutional. It seems that they have found some piece of @#%$ commie judge to agree with them.
God have mercy on us.
5 Posted on 05/17/2000 19:05:37 PDT by Blood of Tyrants
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To: Rockyrich
There is a book titled."Naked Communist" published in the late 50s or early 60s. there were rules for obtaining the goal of communism. some of which were/are: Control media, schools, teachers, teachers groups, teach that homosexual life style is normal, natural, and healthy, promote pornography in the schools, using a different name,eliminate prayer, God, and discredit the Bible. This is only an example, but seems that we are there. Interesting that it is Ky. I was on a newsmax post, mentioned the insedious bill beofre the California legislature AB2556. This is the Village school in which government will take care of everyone from the cradle to the grave. one sentence"Schools should serve as community centers at which individuals receive education throughout their lives. Schools should be places where learnng occurs "after school" in the evenings and on weekends. They are talking about health issues, dental, prenatal, social services, etc etc. the Ky, linc is that a fellow posted that this is already in Kentucky.
6 Posted on 05/17/2000 19:20:51 PDT by Burlem (Burlem@aol.com)
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To: Rockyrich
If the people of Kentucky do not tar and feather this judge and send her out on the horse she rode in on, then they all deserve to be ass whipped! This is the biggest crock of cow manure I have ever seen!
7 Posted on 05/17/2000 19:39:12 PDT by Critter
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Re: ten commandments.
Yeah, I'm a 16 year old semi-marxist in the @#%$ty by the sea, and the narrowness and general desire of you all to hold back change causes me to lose my faith in humanity. I meet more good-natured people at heavy metal and punk concerts than i do anywhere in this town. You were taught in the 50's and 60's that communism was what they had in russia, china, and cuba, but just like the inclusion of christian prayer in school, it was wrong. What those three countries have/had is a perversion of communism. Kind of like american christianity, eh? Why don't you old bastards get off of your asses and do something productive for once. You complain about how bad kids are and yet do nothing to help us. You complain about abortions, yet the babies who would've been aborted grow up into the people on welfare you seem to despise. Direct action gets the goods, and I'm seeing no actual participation from any of you.
another thing, with how good and christian all those people act, why the haste in "ass whoopin"? i guess you think dressing up in all your expensive clothes and giving money to your FR-od every chance you have makes you a good person.
Re: ten commandments.
Well, as a Christian, I can say that not all of us are like that. IMHO the backlash against Christianity is caused when Christians stop acting like Christians. I've always thought that some of the major tenets of my faith are compassion and tolerance.
I think that this is the root of the problem. Do people feel uncomfortable with those who try to understand the opinions of others without brow-beating them? Maybe not. It is when someone tries to impose their beliefs through fear and intimidation that problems arise. True conversion comes from the heart, not from the rod.
By the way, thanks, Commie, for testing out my profanity filter. Just try not to push the envelope with the expletives in the future, OK.
Just try not to push the envelope with the expletives in the future, OK. 
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