# Defiant Chief Justice Vows to Keep Ten Commandments Monument **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 15, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319 "2003-08-15T03:27:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Razorsharp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Razorsharp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razorsharp)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/301 "2003-08-27T17:02:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Northern Piper \* > \*\*can’t have it both ways, **Razorsharp**. In the passage I quoted, you suggested that the state’s actions were a religious exercise, apparently to support an argument that it was protected under the “free exercise” clause. Now you’re saying that it’s just an acknowledgement, to wiggle away from the establishment issue. \*\* “Both ways” ain’t got nuthin’ to do with it. See, the Constitution says that no law shall be made with respect to an establishment of religion, and further states that no law shall be made that restricts the free exercise thereof. In other words, laws both for or against are verbotten. It is a matter that falls outside the purview of the FedGov. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/302 "2003-08-27T18:09:19Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by lekatt > The Christians will be back and in much greater numbers. > > God Bless America Actually, the percentage of people in the U.S calling themselves Christians has been steadily decreasing by about 1 percentage point a year. The number of people not following any organized religion is steadily rising, It went from 8% in 1990 to 14% in 2001. Cite: [http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr\_prac2.htm](http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm) ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/303 "2003-08-27T18:27:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Blalron \* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \*\*\* > > The Christians will be back and in much greater numbers. > > > > God Bless America > > Actually, the percentage of people in the U.S calling themselves Christians has been steadily decreasing by about 1 percentage point a year. The number of people not following any organized religion is steadily rising, It went from 8% in 1990 to 14% in 2001. > > Cite: > > [http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr\_prac2.htm](http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm) \*\* And I would suspect that this is one reason that the Moores and the **lekatts** are so desparate to get religious symbols into governmental settings. For one thing they feel things slipping into more secular modes, _a la_ Europe which is sinful. And for another, many honestly believe that God will destroy the US if it strays from the True Path. And for a third, many think that they personally will be punished in the Great Hereafter if they don’t combat with all their power what they see as a Satanic influence. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/304 "2003-08-27T18:30:42Z")
In addition to being “desparate” they are also “desperate.” And I previewed. There isn’t a lot of hope for me, is there? ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/305 "2003-08-27T18:31:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Razorsharp \* > \*\*“Both ways” ain’t got nuthin’ to do with it. See, the Constitution says that no law shall be made with respect to an establishment of religion, and further states that no law shall be made that restricts the free exercise thereof. > > In other words, laws both for or against are verbotten. It is a matter that falls outside the purview of the FedGov. \*\* It is ridiculous to suggest that the State of Alabama could do all the Official Establishment of Religioning their heart desires, but when the times comes that somebody sues to make it stop, the Religion Establishers can drop to their knees and whine that the feds are “Prohibiting the Free Exercise” by enforcing the Establishment Clause. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/306 "2003-08-27T18:54:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by David Simmons \* > \*\*Actually, the percentage of people in the U.S calling themselves Christians has been steadily decreasing by about 1 percentage point a year. The number of people not following any organized religion is steadily rising, It went from 8% in 1990 to 14% in 2001. > > Cite: > > [http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr\_prac2.htm](http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_prac2.htm) \*\* And I would suspect that this is one reason that the Moores and the **lekatts** are so desparate to get religious symbols into governmental settings. For one thing they feel things slipping into more secular modes, _a la_ Europe which is sinful. And for another, many honestly believe that God will destroy the US if it strays from the True Path. And for a third, many think that they personally will be punished in the Great Hereafter if they don’t combat with all their power what they see as a Satanic influence. \*\* [/QUOTE] Actually, Lekatt doesn’t give a rat’s behind about religious symbols. God’s love resides in the heart and mind of those who honor Him. God will not destroy anything, you have been misinformed. God does not punish people in the “great beyond” either, whatever that is. Oh, yes, even the Church of Satan doesn’t believe Satan is real. Suggest a bit of catching up on current events. God Bless America ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/307 "2003-08-27T19:00:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \* > **The Christians will be back and in much greater numbers.** Christians are easily startled, but they’ll soon be back, and in greater numbers. We’d better get a move on… Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/308 "2003-08-27T19:01:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \* > \*\*The Godless have much work to do to squash religion. The Christians will be back and in much greater numbers. > \*\* For the third time in this thread alone. I am very happy the monument has been removed. I am also a practicing Jew. I do not want to “squash religion”. I want to ensure that all Americans are free to practice the religion of their choice, or to choose not to practice any religion, without fear of interference or punishment from the government. ---
**Author:** ![lekatt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lekatt/32/7269_2.png) [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/309 "2003-08-27T19:05:36Z")
As for the decline in Christians, that is true, but in no way indicates a rise in atheists. I quit the christian ranks, but know that God exists. There is a very large spiritual movement growing in this country. It is called many names, “Spiritualism, New Age,” are the most common. They mostly know God exists because they have experienced His love. Christianity is losing their members to this movement in record numbers. They have already been attacked many times on this board. But if they become riled enough, they will fight back. God Bless America ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/310 "2003-08-27T19:13:32Z")
So… These spiritualists, the ones who aren’t Christian, in fact who have rejected Christianity in record numbers, are going to be upset by the removal of a Christian monument… Ok. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/311 "2003-08-27T20:28:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lekatt \* > \*\*Not time to dance yet. Many armies have won battles before losing the war. The Godless have much work to do to squash religion. \*\* The best way to squash a religion is to make it official and state supported. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319/312 "2003-08-27T20:35:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > For the third time in this thread alone. I am very happy the monument has been removed. I am also a practicing Jew. Las Vegas gives 50-50 odds that you, too, are “godless” in **lekatt’s** eyes. :rolleyes: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defiant-chief-justice-vows-to-keep-ten-commandments-monument/195319.md?page=15)