From the desk of Mat Staver: A Victory for the Ten Commandments and the rule of law!
A federal district court has entered a judgment in favor of Liberty Counsel's client, Levy County, Florida, dismissing a lawsuit brought by a national atheist group claiming that the Ten Commandments monument next to the Levy County courthouse violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. We are pleased the court dismissed the suit!
Here is a synopsis of how the atheist organization was attempting to manipulate the system in order to remove the Ten Commandments display:
In 2009, Levy County created neutral guidelines for local residents and groups to place their own monuments in an area next to the courthouse, commemorating people, events or ideas that have significantly influenced American or Florida law, or Levy County. A local crisis pregnancy center applied to place the Ten Commandments monument in the forum. Given the long-recognized influence of the Ten Commandments in the development of American law, the County approved the monument under the guidelines.
Four years later, a local atheist group applied to place a monument commemorating American Atheists, Inc. and its founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair. It also disparaged religion with numerous out-of-context quotes commonly argued by atheists to undermine America's religious heritage.
The proposed monument's content, however, did not comply with the County's neutral guidelines or requirements and was denied.
In a counter-attack, the local atheist group's leader, backed by the national group American Atheists, Inc., sued the County in federal court seeking removal of the Ten Commandments monument or forcing the County to allow the atheists' noncompliant monument.
Two years of discovery have shown that there is no injury to the plaintiff under the Constitution.
+ + The atheists' goal all along was the removal of the Ten Commandments!
The atheist organization never intended to display its own legitimate monument but rather sought to remove a monument that complies with the public forum guidelines. The
Ten Commandments monument is the private speech of the group that placed it in Levy County's public forum. Even if it were government speech, it is proper to recognize the influence of the Ten Commandments on American law and government.
In fact, the frieze adorning the east facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building depicts Moses clutching the Ten Commandments above the words, "Justice The Guardian of Liberty." (right)
+ + Liberty Counsel's legal team has for decades defended and protected displays of the Ten Commandments.
At Liberty Counsel, we daily confront the assaults on the religious liberties of people of faith. As one of the nation's leading public interest law firms, Liberty Counsel is on the leading edge of the battle for our liberties.
We have gone "all in" to ensure that these battles for our nation, our culture, and our Constitution are won both in public forums and, when necessary, in courts throughout the land!
That's why we need your help as we build the war chest to defend religious freedom against an unprecedented and calculated assault by radical extremists.
Know that your generous support makes our work possible and is always appreciated!
Every bit of support – both prayer and financial – will help tremendously, especially this time of year.
Click here or on the banner below to give your best gift possible.
God bless you,
Mat Staver, Founder and President
Liberty Counsel
A federal district court has entered a judgment in favor of Liberty Counsel's client, Levy County, Florida, dismissing a lawsuit brought by a national atheist group claiming that the Ten Commandments monument next to the Levy County courthouse violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. We are pleased the court dismissed the suit!
Here is a synopsis of how the atheist organization was attempting to manipulate the system in order to remove the Ten Commandments display:
In 2009, Levy County created neutral guidelines for local residents and groups to place their own monuments in an area next to the courthouse, commemorating people, events or ideas that have significantly influenced American or Florida law, or Levy County. A local crisis pregnancy center applied to place the Ten Commandments monument in the forum. Given the long-recognized influence of the Ten Commandments in the development of American law, the County approved the monument under the guidelines.Four years later, a local atheist group applied to place a monument commemorating American Atheists, Inc. and its founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair. It also disparaged religion with numerous out-of-context quotes commonly argued by atheists to undermine America's religious heritage.
The proposed monument's content, however, did not comply with the County's neutral guidelines or requirements and was denied.
In a counter-attack, the local atheist group's leader, backed by the national group American Atheists, Inc., sued the County in federal court seeking removal of the Ten Commandments monument or forcing the County to allow the atheists' noncompliant monument.
Two years of discovery have shown that there is no injury to the plaintiff under the Constitution.
+ + The atheists' goal all along was the removal of the Ten Commandments!
The atheist organization never intended to display its own legitimate monument but rather sought to remove a monument that complies with the public forum guidelines. The
Ten Commandments monument is the private speech of the group that placed it in Levy County's public forum. Even if it were government speech, it is proper to recognize the influence of the Ten Commandments on American law and government.In fact, the frieze adorning the east facade of the U.S. Supreme Court building depicts Moses clutching the Ten Commandments above the words, "Justice The Guardian of Liberty." (right)
+ + Liberty Counsel's legal team has for decades defended and protected displays of the Ten Commandments.
At Liberty Counsel, we daily confront the assaults on the religious liberties of people of faith. As one of the nation's leading public interest law firms, Liberty Counsel is on the leading edge of the battle for our liberties.
We have gone "all in" to ensure that these battles for our nation, our culture, and our Constitution are won both in public forums and, when necessary, in courts throughout the land!
That's why we need your help as we build the war chest to defend religious freedom against an unprecedented and calculated assault by radical extremists.
Know that your generous support makes our work possible and is always appreciated!
Every bit of support – both prayer and financial – will help tremendously, especially this time of year.
Click here or on the banner below to give your best gift possible.
God bless you,
Mat Staver, Founder and President
Liberty Counsel
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