Ten Commandments Cases in SCOTUS' Hands

Today the Supremes will hear arguments in two cases involving the public posting of the Ten Commandments. It's ironic that the room in which they will hear the cases has a carved depiction of Moses holding the tablets on which God carved the Ten Commandments.

WorldNetDaily reports:

For the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today in two cases involving the public posting of the Ten Commandments.

The justices are scheduled to hear the case McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky and Van Orden v. Perry, and will decide whether or not the public display of the Decalogue is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution's First Amendment.

Mathew Staver, president and general counsel of Liberty Counsel will present oral arguments in the Kentucky case, arguing that the Commandments "played an important role in the development of American law and government and thus do not constitute a government endorsement of religion when exhibited in public displays," said a statement from the law group.

The Supreme Court's decision will affect every Ten Commandments display in the country and may well set the future course for other governmental acknowledgments of religion.

Liberty Counsel hopes the high court will adopt a new test for judging such cases. It's proposed test "would find a permissible governmental acknowledgment of religion if the activity 1) comports with history and ubiquity, 2) does not coerce participation in a religious exercise or activity, and 3) does not discriminate among sects based upon religious character alone."

Such a test would make a clear distinction between an acknowledgment of religion, which the Constitution permits, and an establishment of religion, which the Constitution forbids. The phrase "In God We Trust" passes such a test, Liberty Counsel notes.

One wonders if the Supremes will seek international opinion before ruling on these cases. Perish the thought!