June 29, 2005

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the public display of the Ten Commandments upholds the Constitutional separation of church and state, the NCC said.

The high court ruled Monday that the commandments may be displayed in state capitols but not in courthouses. "This decision reflects our belief that the Ten Commandments have played a significant role in history and in shaping the laws and policies that govern us today, but should not be displayed in a way that promotes one religion over others," the Council statement said.

The full test of the statement follows:

We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the separation of church and state and their ruling that while it is inappropriate for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in courthouses, it is completely appropriate for them to be displayed in state capitols. This decision reflects our belief that the Ten Commandments have played a significant role in history and in shaping the laws and policies that govern us today and therefore should be allowed to be displayed as a historical document but should not be displayed in a way that promotes one religion over others.

We live in a religiously pluralistic society and whereas we hope the Ten Commandments are firmly displayed in the hearts of all Christians, we believe strongly that we should not impose our religious beliefs on others. Although we believe in the separation of church and state, we do not believe that people of faith should be separated from involvement in institutions of government. That is why we are much more interested in people living out their faith by helping the poor, promoting peace and protecting the environment, than whether or not the Ten Commandments are displayed in courthouses or in other locations that violate the very delicate balance we must keep in order to maintain the separation of church and state.

National Council of Churches