Sen. Sam. Brownback and Sen. Sam Lieberman have introduced a resolution recognizing the first weekend of May 2008 as ‘Ten Commandments Weekend.’ ” The resolution was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, chaired by Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, Vermont. Similar resolutions passed in 2006 and 2007.
The resolution states that the “Ten Commandments are precepts foundational to the faith of millions of Americans,” are “a declaration of fundamental principles for a fair and just society,” were “from the founding of the United States. . . part of America’s basic cultural fabric,” and are “a recognized symbol of law in our Nation’s culture.”
A recent First Amendment violation to erect the Ten Commandments over the gallery doors of the House is cited as precedent. The resolution falsely states that an image of the Ten Commandments is at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Blank tablets are depicted, and many fictional lawgivers are sprinkled in with historic lawgivers on friezes.)
The resolution states, “in recognition of the importance of the Ten Commandments in their faith and the history and culture of the United States, “the first weekend of May 2008 should be ” ‘Ten Commandments Weeknd.’ “
“Of course, students of U.S. history know the U.S. Constitution is godless and secular. Neither it nor the Declaration of Independence contains any references to the Ten Commandments,” said Foundation copresident Dan Barker.
“We encourage Foundation members to take advantage of this proposal to educate their communities about the myth that the Ten Commandments or Mosaic law is in any way a foundation of secular law,” added copresident Annie Laurie Gaylor.
The morally inadequate teachings and contradictions of the Ten Commandments are reviewed in the Foundation nontract, “What’s Wrong with the Ten Commandments” by Anne Nicol Gaylor.
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judicary can be contacted at:
224 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
Democratic Phone (202)224-7703
Republican phone (202)224-5225
