News
Wire Story

House Upholds Display of Ten Commandments

Spurred by recent fatal shootings in public schools, the House of Representatives in June voted to permit the display of the Ten Commandments in schools and other public buildings.

The House passed the “Ten Commandments Defense Act Amendment” 248 to 180. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), the Congregationalist son of a lay minister, offered the amendment to a juvenile crime bill in order to protect “the principles which we as a civil society need to live by to maintain order and decency, and to preserve the American family.” The crime bill and Ten Commandments amendment are awaiting approval in a House-Senate conference committee.

Welton Gaddy, executive director of the Interfaith Alliance, calls the amendment a “transparent attempt to legislate a narrow and extreme interpretation of Christianity into public life.” Sponsor Aderholt called the Ten Commandments “the principles which we as a civil society need to live by to maintain order and decency.”

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, says that while the amendment does not specify which version or interpretation of the Ten Commandments can be displayed, it still “politicizes religion.” Lynn vows to take the issue to court if the amendment becomes law.

Copyright © 1999 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Redeeming Sudan's Slaves: Will buying the freedom of one fuel the enslavement of ten? Some Christian human-rights workers say slave redemption backfires.

Cover Story

Redeeming Sudan's Slaves

Good News for the Lost, Imprisoned, Abducted, and Enslaved

Let’s Get Physical

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from August 09, 1999

Peretti Out-Grishams Grisham

By the CT Staff

Evangelicalism’s Thriving Warriors

How Evil Became Cool

Howard-Browne Takes New York

Nursing Homes: White Unto Harvest

Was the Messiah a Vegetarian?

Will Gambling Limit Be Heeded?

Ministry Helps Wounded Women

In Brief: August 09, 1999

Human Embryo Research Resisted

Alliance Targets Sex Trafficking

South Koreans Help Neighbors

Baptist School Taps Catholic

Catholics Accept Protestant Baptisms

In Brief: August 09, 1999

Editorial

Persecution Is Persecution Is Persecution

A Postmodern Ezekiel

Letters

Homosexuality: Presbyterians Hold Firm on Fidelity

Medicine: Mission Sets Sights on Blindness

Sexual Abuse: How Congregations Find Healing

Will Pax TV Survive Second Season?

Banker Trusts Credit-poor Churches

Europe: East Germany Churches Falter

Editorial

Can I Get a Witness?

The Greatest Story Never Read

I Love to Tell the Story to Those Who Know It Least

Rediscovering Jesus in, of All Places, Church

Is Marriage Made in Heaven?

What's in a Name?

If I’m an Evangelical, What Am I?

Baroness Caroline Cox: Rescuing Russia's Orphans

View issue

Our Latest

Testimony

I Demolished My Faith for ‘My Best Life.’ It Only Led to Despair.

Queer love, polyamory, and drugs ruined me. That’s where Jesus found me.

The Book Screwtape Feared Most

Once a bedrock Christian classic, Boethius’s “Consolation of Philosophy” has been neglected for decades. It’s time for a revival.

Being Human

Airport Anxiety and Purposeful Publishing with Joy Allmond

CT’s executive editor learned to care for people as a 9/11-era flight attendant.

The Song of Mary Still Echoes Today

How the Magnificat speaks to God’s care for the lowly.

The Surprising Arrival of a Servant

Jesus’ introduction of justice through gentleness.

The Unexpected Fruit of Barrenness

How the kingdom of God delights in grand reversals.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube