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David Friedman, who represented the American Civil Liberties Union in the Kentucky case, also made comparisons to the Supreme Court frieze. He said the Kentucky display more explicitly ties government to religion. "It is not a neutral display of lawgivers like the frieze in this court," he said.

More than one justice turned the discussion to the religiosity of the nation.

Justice Antonin Scalia pointed out how many people nationwide affirm the essence of the commandments. "I think probably 90 percent of American people believe in the Ten Commandments," he said, even though "85 percent couldn't tell you what the 10 are."

Justice Anthony Kennedy wondered if taking down the monuments to please the few would "be a hostility toward religion."

Scalia seemed to agree. "We're a tolerant society," he said. "It seems to me the minority has to be tolerant of the majority's belief."

The court is expected to rule in June.

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Uproar Predicted If Justices Remove Public Ten Commandments Displays | Conservatives warn about "bulldozing" monuments, a backlash against "judicial activism," and an "ugly" confirmation process for future justices.

Other Christianity Today coverage of the Ten Commandments debate includes:

Decalogue Debacle | What we can learn from a monument now locked in an Alabama closet. (April 12, 2004)

The Tourist Attraction That Isn't There | Alabama's Ten Commandments monument still drawing visitors despite its absence from the state Supreme Court building. (Jan. 12, 2004)

God Reigns-Even in Alabama | Let's not make the Commandments into a graven image. (Oct. 2003)

How to Really Keep the Commandments in Alabama—and Elsewhere | Since when did the public display of the Ten Commandments become the eleventh commandment? (Sept. 03, 2003)

The Ten Commandments, How Deep Our Debt | The words of the Decalogue run like a river through not only the church but also English and American history. (Aug. 22, 2003)

Ten Commandments Judge Praised and Panned | Roy Moore fulfills a campaign promise with a 5,280-pound granite monument. (Nov. 29, 2001)

Why Rules Rule | Debates on the Ten Commandments expose our culture's ultimate rift. (Sept. 6, 2001)

Ten Commandments Case Turned Down | Denial means Indiana town's Decalogue display is unconstitutional. (June 13, 2001)

Ten-Commandments Judge Aims for High Post | After taking on the ACLU, Moore is now a nominee for the Alabama Supreme Court. (Aug. 1, 2000)

Hang Ten? | Thou shalt avoid Ten Commandments tokenism. (March 6, 2000)

Ten Commandments Judge Cleared | Roy Moore's integrity confirmed regarding legal fund. (Oct. 25, 1999)

House Upholds Display of Ten Commandments | Spurred by recent fatal shootings in public schools, the House of Representatives voted to permit the display of the Ten Commandments. (April 9, 1999)

Ten Commandments Judge Looking for Federal Fight | Does Judge Roy Moore's courtroom display defy separation of church and state? (Dec. 12, 1997)

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March (Web-only) 2005, Vol. 49