Ten Commandments displays prompt more lawsuits in Kentucky
By The Associated Press
11.28.01
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| This display of Ten Commandments, seen amid seven historic documents in Mercer County, Ky., courthouse yesterday, is subject of federal lawsuit.. |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A civil liberties group sued four Kentucky counties yesterday to try to stop them from posting the Ten Commandments in courthouses, calling it a government endorsement of religion.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky filed separate federal lawsuits against the counties of Grayson, Mercer, Rowan and Garrard, which was also singled out for posting the commandments in the county hospital.
ACLU attorney David Friedman said many people have found solace in religion since the Sept. 11 attacks, but it’s wrong to extend that fervor to government sanctioning of religion.
“It’s not a small measure of irony that these four governments, among others, are seeking to impose their religious views on the nation at the same time the nation is fighting those overseas who would impose their religious views on others,” Friedman said.
One of the defendants, Rowan County Judge-Executive Clyde Thomas, said the Fiscal Court allowed some citizens to post the commandments in its meeting room about three years ago.
“We have no apologies to make for that. We didn’t feel bad about doing it,” the judge said.
Two years ago, the ACLU went to court to get the commandments removed from schools and courthouses in McCreary, Pulaski and Harlan counties. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Coffman issued a preliminary injunction against the postings, saying they violated the Constitution. Appeals by the counties are pending.
The ACLU won a related challenge when U.S. District Joseph Hood struck down a state law calling for creation of a monument inscribed with the commandments outside the state Capitol in Frankfort. That ruling also is on appeal.
Updates
Kentucky Ten Commandments displays can remain, for now
Federal judge refuses to grant preliminary injunctions against postings in Mercer, Rowan counties, says he will rule later in Garrard County case.
08.23.02
Kentucky Ten Commandments display must come down
'Freedom is protected when government remains neutral toward religion,' says ACLU attorney after judge's ruling.
05.19.02
Related
Kentucky officials ordered to remove Ten Commandments displays — again
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Friends, foes of commandments displays claim history is with them
ACLU of Kentucky cites church-state separation in challenges; county officials say religious codes played role in nation's development.
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Alabama chief justice refuses to display atheist symbol alongside commandments
Meanwhile, survey reveals nearly one-fourth of Kentucky’s counties have religious codes posted in public buildings, despite court order barring such displays in some counties.
09.11.01
Ten Commandments replacing abortion as key Christian issue, scholar says
Christian groups continue nationwide effort to place religious codes in public square.
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