You’re ignoring that the law states that the Commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government.”
As you may be aware, it was very important to the Founders that people have no other gods and not make graven images. The U.S. Constitution specifically forbids taking the Lord’s name in vain. And of course, it is required to keep the Sabbath holy.
No coveting, either, whether it be houses, wives, or animals. Those are right out.
A good friend of mine is a Lutheran pastor. She explained that, contrary to what I was taught in Catholic school, “taking the Lord’s name in vain” doesn’t mean swearing or saying “god damn it.” It means to bring up god or religion for your personal benefit. And, you know, of course it does. It’s amazing how religious schooling gives people permission to twist language around like that.
Separation of church and state is not technically a law. However, SCOTUS ruled against exactly this in Stone v. Graham. My fear is that states are doing this to bait it back to our newly conservative SCOTUS.
More than 40 years ago, in Stone v. Graham, the Supreme Court overturned a similar state statute, holding that the First Amendment bars public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms. No other state requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools.
Yeah, well, if the fascists take over and try to codify Christian theocracy into our laws, that’s a thing that I actually do think would start a civil war.
What I’m saying is that this would incite state governments to rebel against the federal, perhaps taking (or convincing, or co-opting, or outright capturing) the military assets for their own interests.
That’s a prima facie violation of separation of church and state
You’re ignoring that the law states that the Commandments are “foundational documents of our state and national government.”
As you may be aware, it was very important to the Founders that people have no other gods and not make graven images. The U.S. Constitution specifically forbids taking the Lord’s name in vain. And of course, it is required to keep the Sabbath holy.
No coveting, either, whether it be houses, wives, or animals. Those are right out.
Your dry sarcasm leaves me parched. I’m here for it.
God damn it.
Taking the Lord’s name in vain? Straight to jail.
A good friend of mine is a Lutheran pastor. She explained that, contrary to what I was taught in Catholic school, “taking the Lord’s name in vain” doesn’t mean swearing or saying “god damn it.” It means to bring up god or religion for your personal benefit. And, you know, of course it does. It’s amazing how religious schooling gives people permission to twist language around like that.
Commanding Yahweh to bring damnation in order to satisfy your personal frustration is exactly that.
Would be awesome to have a t-shirt or bumper sticker with these 2 lines.
Baal
Yahweh
Edit: or even better, deface every public copy of the 10 commandments by writing this on it.
Or just add at the bottom:
Separation of church and state is not technically a law. However, SCOTUS ruled against exactly this in Stone v. Graham. My fear is that states are doing this to bait it back to our newly conservative SCOTUS.
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/civil-liberties-groups-will-file-lawsuit-against-louisiana-law-requiring-public-schools-to-display-the-ten-commandments
Yeah, well, if the fascists take over and try to codify Christian theocracy into our laws, that’s a thing that I actually do think would start a civil war.
The problem with civil war isn’t the justification, but the success against modern governmental warfare armaments.
What I’m saying is that this would incite state governments to rebel against the federal, perhaps taking (or convincing, or co-opting, or outright capturing) the military assets for their own interests.
It’s historical …. Our historical right to own slaves