Judge Stops Ky. County from Displaying Ten Commandments
By
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has permanently barred a Kentucky county from using the Ten Commandments as part of a "Foundations of American Law and Government" display.
U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley said the Grayson County display has the "effect of endorsing religion." McKinley's ruling upholds a preliminary injunction issued in 2002 that resulted in county officials taking down the Ten Commandments, but leaving the frame on display.
No public money was used to set up the display in the county courthouse in Leitchfield, about 75 miles southwest of Louisville.
The Rev. Chester Shartzer put up the display, without a public ceremony or public prayer. Two Grayson County residents and the American Civil Liberties Union sued in 2001.
The display originally included the full text of the Mayflower Compact, the full text of the Declaration of Independence, the Ten Commandments, the full text of the Magna Carta, the Star Spangled Banner, the National Motto together with the Preamble to the Kentucky Constitution, the Bill of Rights, a picture of Lady Justice together with an explanation of the significance of each of the documents.
McKinley found that the intent of the display was religious, not educational, in part because it came after the county failed to put up only a Ten Commandments display and Grayson County Fiscal Court members discussed what to put with the Ten Commandments to avoid objections from the ACLU.
Mat Staver, who heads the conservative Christian legal group Liberty Counsel and represented Grayson County in the case, said McKinley's decision will either be appealed or a modified display will be put up. Staver said legally, the county is on sound ground because appeals courts, including one that oversees Kentucky, have upheld "the exact same display."
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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We need to remember that we are guaranteed freedom of speech and the ACLU is taking that away by removing the Words of my Creator from the court houses of America. This country was built on freedom. Yes, these citizens have the right to say they don't believe in God, but they have no right to tell me that I can't believe in Him.
How foolish we are to allow a few malcontents to say that we have to remove Him from lives. I can truly say, with no doubt whatsoever, that God created this world we live in. Jesus died on the cross for my sins, that God loves His creation. We, as His creation, need to stand against those who would turn Him aside.
The Lord rebuke those who would follow Satan and bring the ACLU against Him. God is patient and forgiving, but we must turn back to Him. Those of you who think you are fighting for the rights of all, are truly only fighting for Satan. Repent and come back to God. Eternity is forever, and no one wants to suffer for eternity.
I do now, and will always stand boldly for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God's Plan of Salvation:
Belief in Jesus - Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Repentance - Luke 13:5 - I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Confession – Matthew 10:32 – 33 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Baptism – Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Endure to the end - II Timothy 4:7 - 8 - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing