Ethics

9th Circuit Upholds Ten Commandments Display

By Ed Brayton

Howard Friedman points to a new decision from the 9th circuit that allows a Ten Commandments display on public property in Everett, Washington to remain in place. The ruling notes that the circumstances are very similar to those in Van Orden v Perry, which the court considered the controlling decision:

this monument bears a prominent inscription showing that it was donated to the City by a private organization. As in Van Orden, this serves to send a message to viewers that, while the monument sits on public land, it did not sprout from the minds of City officials and was not funded from City coffers.

Full post as published by Dispatches from the Culture Wars on March 29, 2008 (boomark / email).