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ACLU Statement on Approval by Polk County Commission to Post Ten
Commandments
Statement of Howard Simon,
ACLU of Florida Executive Director
October 18, 2001
MIAMI ? Howard Simon, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, today issued the following statement in response to the unanimous vote by the Polk County Commission to display the Ten Commandments in the county administration building:
The ACLU acknowledges the importance of Ten Commandments as a central document of the Judeo-Christian tradition and its central role in the lives of many, many people. The document is extremely important to Christians and Jews alike. Nevertheless, we do not believe that it is the appropriate role of government to advance a religious text.
In addition to the prescriptions that are found in our legal system and are part of the moral codes of most religious and ethical traditions (such as prohibitions against lying, stealing and murder), the Ten Commandments contain purely sectarian prescriptions (such as the Commandment of monotheism and the prohibition of worshiping idols or using the Lord's name in vain). While many people agree with these, they are purely sectarian.
The Ten Commandments is a religious text, and regardless of how it is displayed, it is not constitutionally appropriate for government to endorse religious principles. The ACLU has challenged similar actions by government officials elsewhere, and as recently as June of this year, the courts have struck down similar action by government to advance sectarian religious principles.
