Good news from the ACLU.
A unanimous federal appeals court yesterday ruled that county commissioners in Haskell County, Oklahoma unconstitutionally sought to promote their personal religious beliefs by erecting a Ten Commandments monument on the front lawn of the county's courthouse. The decision by the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals comes in a challenge filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Oklahoma on behalf of a local resident.
What so many don't get is that the Constitution not only guarantees our right to worship as we wish, but also guarantees our freedom from worship. It is a striking, and simple, balance that is all too often forgotten about.
"This decision is a victory for the cherished American value of religious freedom," said Daniel Mach, Director of Litigation for the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "The government should not be in the business of promoting religious viewpoints. In our country, people should be free to express their faith – or to exercise their right to hold no belief at all – without government interference or favoritism."
The key here is "government favoritism." What would the county commission in Haskell County, Oklahoma have done had a petition been approved for a different religious icon to be placed at their town square? Maybe a Hindu Goddess, a Menorah, or a Pentagram?
It would be interesting to watch.
Another strong statement from the ACLU:
"This is a significant ruling for the citizens of Oklahoma," said Joann Bell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. "Religion should not be something that should be allowed to divide the citizens of this state, which is what happens when the government endorses one particular set of religious beliefs. All Oklahomans, of all creeds – and not just the beliefs of those in power – should feel welcome at the county courthouse."
The full case can be found here.
Good news for a Wednesday.