There was a recognition that the public space belonged to all of us. You could do as you wished in private or in controlled places. But you did not appropriate the public space for your own use. You moderated your behavior there. To do otherwise was regarded as an act of disrespect -- for society and for yourself. Somehow, however, I don't think the advocates of posting the 10 Commandments in government court buildings really buy into this argument.
Somehow, however, I don't think the advocates of posting the 10 Commandments in government court buildings really buy into this argument.The decorous behavior of persons in public, in the past, was largely governed by said 10 Commandments. In the past, posting them wasn't necessary because they were inculcated from a very young age in nearly everyone.