Contemplating the Court on Commandments

Contemplating the Court on Commandments

Q: The Supreme Court this week ruled that displays of the Ten Commandments on government property are not inherently unconstitutional. In essence, the justices ruled 5 to 4 in two cases that each case of alleged governmental promotion of religion by displaying the Ten Commandments needs to be examined on its own. In one case, they ruled that the Ten Commandments could not be displayed, because they go too far in endorsing religion. In another other, they ruled that it could be, on historical grounds. The decision has brought criticism on the grounds that a case-by-case look is not a principle that can be applied consistently. Observers also say it doesn't settle the role of religion in society. What do you think of the court's decision?

A:The court skirted the bigger issue and gave a ruling that the Ten Commandments may be displayed inconspicuously among other documents and monuments.

Coincidently, God and religion were inconspicuously placed among other news items that captured the nation's attention this week. President Bush spoke to us, called for the continuance of the war and ended his words with "God bless you all." At the same time, we were introduced to the bigger war, the "War of the Worlds," and we were given a dose of Scientology along with the review of Tom Cruise acting.

In essence, the Supreme Court followed the patterns of society.

This weekend, we celebrate the founding of this incredible country, the United States of America. The name of our country invokes something in each of our souls. Our country was founded on a dream and continues to define itself as it evolves through a process. God was not something etched in stone back in 1776; neither was religion. The Founding Fathers had a notion that God was the underlying force for what we refer to as liberty, peace and freedom. These terms are not abstract, nor can they be placed inconspicuously in the corners of our lives.

I wish the court had ruled more decisively. But my greater desire is that we as a society can not be afraid of these terms that point us to our ideals.

Words are etched in stone, but our challenge is to etch them in our hearts.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church Youth Ministries