Moral law or religious banter: The debate over the 10
Commandments continues
Jerry Nora
Pittsburgh Standard
Over the
past couple of years, debates have raged across the country as to
whether the religious moral law known as the Ten Commandments belongs in
government controlled facilities, attached to public monuments, or hung
in other prominently displayed locations. In more recent months, the
battle has even moved to the city of Pittsburgh and involves the
acceptance of a plaque portraying the Ten Commandments, which has stood
in front of the courthouse since 1918.
This controversy
actually began as early as 1999 with an attack launched by the Americans
United for the Separation of Church and State. They believe that
according to the First Amendment of our Constitution, such a display as
that seen at the Allegheny Courthouse demonstrates the support of a
particular religion, thus violating in their minds, the First
Amendment. They are in the process of suing Allegheny County for what
is deemed to be an illegal support of religion.
Several solutions to
the problem exist, though the two opposing factions will refuse to agree
on any of them. If it is decided that the commandments may no longer
remain on the courthouse, one option is to simply remove them. In a
case decided in Utah in 1998, this was the course of action taken by
local officials, who removed stone tablets adorned with the Ten
Commandments, which had hung on the front door of a Salt Lake City
courthouse. Another option is to relocate the display, which is the
course of action that is more often pursued. Earlier this summer in
Elkhart, Indiana, a court case was decided in which a pillar inscribed
with the Ten Commandments was ordered to be removed, but will likely be
transported to a local church. The same could be done in Allegheny
County as well. A final possibility is that the display before the
Allegheny County Courthouse will remain where it is, despite the
protests voiced by many.
Many valid and
powerful arguments exist for allowing displays of the Ten Commandments
to remain. Though decidedly religious in their nature and origin, the
Ten Commandments do not, to the surprise of the religious-minded as well
as the secular, promote a specific religious belief system. After all,
the Hebrew Scriptures that originally contained the Ten Commandments
have come to be accepted by Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Despite this
fact, many argue that the support of any religion defies the purpose of
the First Amendment. However, recognizing the appropriateness of what
is stated within the commandments does not necessarily promote a
religion as much as it upholds what is considered to be moral by our
society, in law and in practice.
Another argument made
in support of maintaining the depiction of the Ten Commandments is that
they are a historical monument as much as a religious statement.
Secularists involved in the debate have even supported this line of
thinking. After all, the Allegheny County display has stood for 83
years. In addition, it highlights a key motivating factor in the
creation of our system of law, and by allowing it to remain we are
reminded of our legal roots, despite the fact that some do not
appreciate those original influences. This argument is strengthened by
the fact that efforts are not being made to introduce such a display
into the courtroom, but to allow what has stood for years to remain
outside of the courthouse.
At this stage, little
solace is found in the examination of similar situations to that of
Allegheny County, found across the country. Identical scenarios have
arisen and have been decided in different ways, sometimes in favor of
leaving the commandments, sometimes demanding their removal. Though the
definitive word may rest with the U.S. Supreme Court, at this point that
judicial powerhouse refuses to hear cases concerning this issue. As
more cases are identified and decided across the country, it is likely
that the Supreme Court will eventually need to become involved.
However, their involvement and eventual decision will not bring closure
to the situation, for regardless of which way they may decide, countless
individuals of the opposing faction will cry out in anger.
Only time will tell
what the ultimate outcome will be concerning the Ten Commandments and
their display in relation to government funded facilities. However,
regardless of the outcome, it would be a shame if citizens were forced
to forget a contributing factor in the creation of law as we know it and
enforce it today. It would also be unfortunate if such moral standards,
regardless of their origin, were abandoned in locations where they are
most critical. The Allegheny County battle may soon be over, but the
war will rage on with no end in sight. The U.S. Supreme Court may
eventually announce a victor, but the defeated will never accept what
will appear to be an artificial declaration of peace for what is such a
passionate issue in the lives of so many Americans.
