The US Supreme Court today debated whether it violates the Constitution to have the Ten Commandments posted in courtrooms.

I assume everyone knows my opinion on this. What's yours?

I say yes. Aren't the ten commandments the basis of law?

No, they shouldn't. Keep religion and anything related to it the hell away from state institutions. Out, out, out, out, out!

It would be only fair to have the Bill of Rights posted in churches to return the favor.

No.

No. Where did you get that idea? Laws existed long before the 10 Commandments, other nonChristain cultures have laws, and the US was specifically founded to not supoprt any one religion.

You can tell it's not or else half the constitution would deal with oxen.

Heh.


*scratches head*

(and NO.)

Whatever. I just thought I remember hearing that somewhere.

Oh, you definitely have. It's a traditional argument certain Christians use when they want to post their religious views in public places. But just because they say it doesn't make it true. :wink:

Well, just judging by the logic, it probably should since don't you swear on the Bible in the court anyway, hehe?

Are they already in the court rooms?

*looks in... sees the makings of a religious debate... walks out*

Not only are they not the basis of law, they're not even remotely the basis of American law. And since that seems to be the central tenent of the Taliban, er, I mean conservative position on this, that placing the ten commandments is NOT about endorsement of religion (yeah, right) but rather a nod to our legal history, then the case is basically open and shut. The commandments are not the basis of law and are therefore not a historical tribute to the creation of our legal system.

Of the 10 comandments, only TWO of them have any actual parallel in the American legal system: Theft and Murder. Three if you count bearing false witness, which is only illegal in certain contexts. In fact, the first commandment about worshipping other gods is actually countermanded by our own first amendment.

Actually I've never seen in done, but I am sure it is in certain southern states.

Ironically, they are lying to defend what they consider morality.

Rusty, knowing that is NOT the basis for our legal system, does your position on displaying them change?

According to the Taliban, er, I mean conservatives, it's not a religious debate at all. It's about paying tribute to the Commandments as the historical basis of our legal system. Of course, it isn't true, but that's never stopped them before.

What he said:

Nope. I think its about time this was actually made into an issue. Constitutional rights are supposed to transcend any one religious ideology. In fact, its supposed to extend each one them the rights to practice barring those practices don't infringe on other's rights not to. Long visious loop with a quick easy answer. No.

I'm not too sure now. I'd rather see it go to a vote where the people can decide it or not. But moraly myself I'd like to see it on.

Your subliminal messages, err, truthful statements are noted and processed. They are laws that Christians abide by... well... some Christians. Not all, but I guess that doesn't make them true Christians? Dammit, no. No debate for X today. I've tried before, and I'll walk away... walk walk away.

I guess most court movies take place in the south then

What does displaying the 10 Commandments in a govt building have to do with morality and why does that justify imposing your religious beliefs on everyone else? Just curious.

How many Christians really abide by them? I think it's fair to say that the vast majority of Christians, for example, have at least one graven image or idol in their possession. And I can't think of church that doesn't have a giant cross on display somewhere in it.

And yet the Taliban, er, I mean conservatives still feel the need to impose their own religious beliefs on everyone else, even while lying about the justifications and even when they themselves follow them only selectively. Of course, they also do that with the Constitution, so I guess none of this should come as any surprise.

really ... what he said.