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He remembers a boy of about 12 who stood outside his library window blowing a ram's horn. A religious symbol from the Old Testament, the horn was used to herald worship. It became popular among Ten Commandment supporters on the courthouse steps.

Lewis had to call marshals to chase away the boy and his distracting horn. When Lewis later viewed security tapes, he saw the boy blow the horn, then peep into the window to see if anybody had noticed.

For $6, Lewis will provide a video to anyone of "Court of the Judiciary, Case No. 33, In the Matter of Roy S. Moore." At least 100 people, he says, have requested copies of the Alabama Court of the Judiciary proceedings of Nov. 12 and 13 that resulted in the ouster of Moore as chief justice.

The court's nine members unanimously declared that Moore had violated the state's Canons of Judicial Ethics and brought "disrepute" when he refused to remove the monument from public view as ordered by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson.

One day in the future, Lewis predicts, the courthouse corridors will contain an educational display about the Ten Commandments controversy.

The law library keeps a register of the visitors to the courthouse, and to flip through it is to catch a glimpse of the brief sentiments, pro and con, concerning the monument.

The comments, under "purpose of visit," build through the early part of 2003 and reach a crescendo in the summer.

A woman from New Hampshire: "May God bless the judge and the state of Al."

A man from Pennsylvania: "To be appalled by the 10 Comm. display!"

A man from Oregon: "Pray for our continued freedom under God."

A woman from Arizona: "Can not believe this monument still here!"

A woman from Alabama: "God bless the USA and Judge Moore."

A woman from Alabama: "God bless the ACLU."

A man from Alabama: "Roy Moore for president."

Copyright © 2004 Religion News Service.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today.Click for reprint information.

Videotapes of "Court of the Judiciary, Case No. 33, In the Matter of Roy S. Moore" are available for purchase from the Supreme Court and State Law Library of Alabama. The cost is $6. To order by phone: (334) 242-4347. To order by mail, contact The Supreme Court and State Law Library of Alabama; 300 Dexter Avenue; Montgomery, AL 36104

"The Alabama case was not a turning point in church-state law," Christianity Today said in an October editorial. "But the furor over it may have shaped future battles, especially in public opinion. By erroneously claiming that the courts are opposed to displaying the Commandments, Moore and his supporters may have created the perception that such displays are always unconstitutional."

"In an era in which we are struggling to find the proper place of religion in a pluralistic society, we must be careful neither to crusade for nor to accept mere symbols," Christianity Today said in a 2000 editorial. "When something becomes a rallying point for a cause or an identifying symbol for a movement, it runs the danger of becoming an idol."

Joseph Loconte pontificated on the Ten Commandments last month in an opinion piece for our web site. He earlier commented on the Commandments controversy for National Public Radio's All Things Considered. His commentary was picked up by the Chicago Tribune and other publications.

Christian History Corner earlier examined the history of the Decalogue's place in British and American history.

More coverage of the Alabama Ten Commandments controversy and similar debates are available from Christianity Today's Weblog and past news stories.

Fox News has several videos from the monument's removal, including the now-infamous man shouting, "Get your hands off our God!"

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January (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48