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Sign up for email updates On March 2, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in two important cases. These cases are a part of the larger battle to preserve and protect religious freedom – our
First Liberty.
Both cases involve Ten Commandments displays, and have reached the court in different ways.
ACLU v. McCreary County was a loss at the 6th Circuit, which ruled that the inclusion of the Decalogue with other historical documents was unconstitutional. In
Van Orden v. Perry, the 5th Circuit upheld the constitutionality of a public display in Texas which included the Ten Commandments as one of several monuments.
McCreary and
Van Orden center on the constitutionality of public displays and should once again test the court’s view of the “
Lemon Test” as well as the “
Three Reindeer Rule.”
While these cases do not affect private rights of citizens, they do address the larger issue of religious freedom. This country was founded by individuals who believed in the critical importance of religious liberty. The Ten Commandments are the basis for much of our current legal system, and the role of faith and providence was recognized in our public buildings, historical documents and institutions. The attempt to remove this heritage more than 200 years later is nothing more than an attempt to “sterilize” our nation’s history. If this is allowed to continue, it is likely just a matter of time before our private rights are affected.
If our history is rewritten, our nation’s future may change as well.
ADF was founded in order to preserve and protect our First Liberty – religious freedom – and has long recognized the importance of cases such as
McCreary and
Van Orden. Historically, there have been 51 cases involving Ten Commandments displays; all but eight have been active within the last 10 years. ADF has been involved with 21 of these cases.
In the Headlines
Status quo: Supreme Court OKs Ten Commandments displays in some circumstances
ADF, 6.27.2005
Oral Arguments: Transcripts for Van Orden and McCreary
Supremes: Shut down 'offended observers'
WorldNetDaily, by ADF Attorney Jordan Lorence, 2.26.2005
American law & the Ten Commandments
BPNews.net, by ADF Attorney Jeremy Tedesco, 2.23.2005
The Ten Commandments: Our history’s future on trial
ADF, 2.11.2005
Additional Resources
Watch Alan Sears' video address explaining the significance of these cases
The Ten Commandments are a vital part of our nation's heritage
Search this site for more about the Ten Commandments
Every Commandment in the Decalogue has Impacted American Law: Wallbuilders Brief
Historical Background Information by William Federer
Photo Essay: God in the Temples of Government: Part 1 (Human Events, Carrie Devorah)
Photo Essay: God in the Temples of Government: Part 2 (Human Events, Carrie Devorah)
Learn more about how you can help the Alliance Defense Fund defend religious freedom.