Officials in Itawamba County, Miss., removed a courthouse display of the Ten Commandments in response to a recent letter from FFRF.
“The Ten Commandments display violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution,” FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott stated in the Jan. 27 letter. “The religious message of the Ten Commandments is obvious. By placing this display directly inside the county’s governmental offices, the county is unmistakably sending the message that it gives the display its stamp of approval.”
Elliott added that the government’s biblical display was striking a blow against religious liberty, forcing taxpayers of all faiths—and of no faith—to support a particular expression of worship.
On Feb. 1, county supervisors agreed to modify the presentation, according to news reports.
FFRF appreciates the supervisors’ decision to get rid of the Ten Commandments, but voiced concerns about the substitution.
“We’re pleased that the county’s unconstitutional Ten Commandments display will be removed from the courthouse,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “But it’s regrettable that the county supervisors sought out another religious statement to replace the Ten Commandments. Elected officials should not use their government position and government buildings as a place for promoting their religious views.”
