Plan is to display Ten Commandments, and explain influence on American law
By Bob Unruh
Religious symbols have been part of American public life, “since before the Founding,” according to a new report from Becket, which was at a federal appeals court this week defending the state of Louisiana and its acknowledgement of the Ten Commandments from the Bible.
“Just after declaring independence, the Continental Congress tasked Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams with designing a national seal. Though the Great Seal eventually adopted a different design, all three proposed overtly religious designs drawn from the Hebrew Bible,” the report said.
“Over the centuries, many state and local governments have followed the Founders’ lead by including religious elements in their flags, seals, and buildings to commemorate history and culture and to acknowledge the beliefs of their citizens. Among the most enduring of these religious symbols is the Ten Commandments, which is featured prominently on the walls of many government buildings, including the U.S. Supreme Court.”
The background is because Becket was defending Louisiana in its plan to have posters with the Ten Commandments displayed in schools, specifically explaining their influence on America’s law and history.
“Schools have broad flexibility in designing the displays, and no public funds are needed for their installation,” the report said.
It was the ACLU that sued the state, and a federal judge temporarily put the law on hold.