Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Stephen Maturin · 04-08-2003, 08:28 AM

Here's a brief roundup of yesterday's oral arguments in Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia v. County of Chester, a case involving a Ten Commandments plaque affixed to the facade of a Pennsylvania courthouse. Looks like the county is trying to make some new law:

Quote:

But William M. McSwain, one of three lawyers who argued the case for the Chester County Commissioners, who want the plaque to remain as an historic artifact on an historic courthouse, contended the 1971 precedent, a case that originated in Philadelphia known as Lemon v. Kurtzman, was no longer good law.

McSwain argued that Chester County's case is unique and the Third Circuit should craft a legal exception to the First Amendment's "establishment clause" for "historic artifacts."

Psycho Economist · 04-08-2003, 09:11 AM

Fine. When they find the Ark of the Covenant, and pull out the original stone tablets, those will be *historic* *artifacts*. In the meantime, it's a cheap knockoff with an inherently religious message and negligible bearing on jurisprudence.

Grumpy · 04-08-2003, 04:22 PM

Would "historic artifacts" include the DeMille Commandments found all over the USA? (As seen in this slide show.)

Solsticin · 04-10-2003, 10:37 AM

OMG, they were a movie promotion essentially. That's great

abe smith · 04-11-2003, 08:32 AM

Thanks *Dr Maturin*, for keeping us stumblers clued to the news. And thanks to you also for your recent intervention for you-know-what. Abe

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-08-2003, 09:11 AM	#2
Psycho Economist Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 854	Fine. When they find the Ark of the Covenant, and pull out the original stone tablets, those will be historic artifacts. In the meantime, it's a cheap knockoff with an inherently religious message and negligible bearing on jurisprudence.

04-08-2003, 04:22 PM	#3
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	Would "historic artifacts" include the DeMille Commandments found all over the USA? (As seen in this slide show.)

04-10-2003, 10:37 AM	#4
Solsticin Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Grand Prairie, Texas Posts: 435	OMG, they were a movie promotion essentially. That's great

04-11-2003, 08:32 AM	#5
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	Thanks Dr Maturin, for keeping us stumblers clued to the news. And thanks to you also for your recent intervention for you-know-what. Abe

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.