Councilman Robinson says the display is intended to acknowledge the undeniable role these two great philosophical statements – the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights -- have played in the development of American legal thought and moral tradition: “In times such as these, it is more important than ever for Americans of all ages, but especially our younger citizens, to be confronted by these great legal and moral tenets, and to reflect upon their wisdom. These are the ideas upon which our society has been built. These words encapsulate as well as any document in the English language the belief system on which we constructed our American society. It’s important from a historical perspective that we remember them.”
Although some public displays of the Ten Commandments have encountered legal challenges in recent years, the Robinson display avoids these constitutional pitfalls. It is paid for entirely by Councilman Robinson’s personal funds, and therefore represents no investment of public monies. In addition, the inclusion of the Bill of Rights makes clear that the text is not an overt tribute to the Judeo-Christian religion, but rather a simple acknowledgement of the historical role these two great documents, one secular and one religious, played in the development and growth of our American legal system.
“This monument is not an effort to proselytize; it is a history lesson, pure and simple, Robinson said. “And history lessons are still constitutional. The atheists can whine all they want, but they can't change history. These words built our nation and made it great. We need to see them in more public places, not fewer. This is my own personal effort to do my part to bring that about.”
Robinson acknowledged that the monument may prove controversial, but says he is not concerned: “This is still a free country, and people are free to disagree with the ideas expressed in this magnificent monument if they would like. They are even free to believe that there is no God. But no one can deny the impact these words have had on America. We may be getting more and more pagan with each passing day, but this simple historical fact remains – our nation’s legal system and its moral code came from these great words and the notions of equality and justice and fairness and obedience and piety that lie behind them. If I were the last Christian left in America, that simple fact would still remain. All this monument does is memorialize that unchangeable historical fact. It is constitutional, and it is the right thing to do, now more than ever.”
Robinson also acknowledged that one or more of the liberals serving with him on the city council might ask that the monument be removed: “I can’t be held accountable for what the other council members choose to do. Over the years I’ve learned that many of them don’t like the Ten Commandments or the Bill of Rights. They keep trying to rewrite them. But if they have the votes and they vote to make me take it away, then I’ll do it. But you better believe I’m already having discussions with some our neighboring governmental bodies to find some other seat of government somewhere in this great country that will accept this monument with open arms.” In anticipation of resistance from some City Council members, the five men who erected the monument dedicated it with a prayer asking the Lord to soften the hard hearts of city officials.
Robinson said it is fitting that the monument be unveiled on the federal holiday honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is honored for his struggle against racist laws and rules and traditions that did not honor or observe the ideals of equality and justice implicit in the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights.
The ACLU should get with the program.....freedom of religion is every American's constitutional guarantee.
If the ACLU doesn't like it....they know what they can do.