Kentucky courthouse can keep Ten Commandments

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal appeals court ruled Jan. 14 that a Kentucky county courthouse can keep its Ten Commandments display, overturning a lower court ruling. The Foundations of American Law and Government display at a Grayson County courthouse included the biblical laws along with eight other historical documents. It was challenged by two men who thought its placement violated the Constitution’s prohibition against the government establishing a religion. In a 2–1 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed, saying the display presented an educational, not religious message. “There is nothing about the setting of the display that would be viewed as encouraging or lending itself to prayer, meditation or other religious activity,” wrote Circuit Judge David W. McKeague for the majority.

Mathew Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, who represented the county, hailed the decision. “It defies common sense to remove a recognized symbol of law from a court of law,” he said.