Keep monument off Capitol grounds
Erecting a monument at the state Capitol of the Ten Commandments is a big mistake.
First, after reading the Ten Commandments again, I see no mention [quoting from the bill itself] “that God has ordained civil government and has delegated limited authority to civil government, that God has limited the authority of civil government, and that God has endowed people with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Nor do I see where the Ten Commandments will help people “understand and appreciate the basic principles of the American system of government.” What I do see when I read the Ten Commandments is a moral and ethical guide to live by — nothing more. Second, what’s to keep other religions (Jews and Muslims, for example) from attempting to make a connection from their holy books to our form of civil government? More monuments on the capitol grounds? Finally, even if the monument is erected with private funds, who will pay for its upkeep? Taxpayers?
Let me be perfectly clear: I’m not an atheist, agnostic or member of any organized religion so my opposition to this monument is not driven by an association with any of these groups. It is driven by the belief that a monument making a religious statement does not belong on public property. Leave religious statements in houses of worship and/or on private property.
PETE RATHMELL
Garfield