WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council Chief Spokesperson Janet Parshall said Tuesday a "wave of activity emphasizing the Ten Commandments" is emerging nationwide. Along with the distribution of nearly a half million Ten Commandments book covers, FRC reported numerous events where parents, teens, school boards, or state legislatures have advocated or allowed the public posting of the Ten Commandments. "The country has experienced one too many horrible shootings," Parshall said. "There is a growing demand to 'hang Ten.' Seventy-four percent of Americans believe that posting the Ten Commandments in schools is a good idea (Pew Research Center, Spring 1999). People are recognizing that it is not the mere presence of the Ten Commandments, but the discussion and application of the principles they contain that might help discourage such tragedies in the future."
Heidi Johnson, a student who was in the library of Columbine High School during the shooting, helped to distribute the FRC book covers that feature the Ten Commandments. "It's time to change our nation's direction by returning to the principles that made America great. America's young people need to know that God loves them," Miss Johnson said in a radio spot that aired nationwide this fall. "The response to her message was remarkable," Parshall said. One person alone, Connie Williams in Charleston, South Carolina, distributed 10,000 book covers to her local schools.
On top of the grass roots activity, state legislators in Colorado, Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio have introduced or will soon introduce bills to support efforts to post the Ten Commandments in schools and courthouses. Kentucky State Rep. Dr. J.C. Ausmus (R-87th District) filed a bill in September that would allow school districts to hold referendums that would determine whether the Ten Commandments should be posted and taught as an historical and moral document in local schools. Already, seven counties in Kentucky have posted them in schools or courthouses or are making efforts to do so. In Colorado, State Sen. John Andrews will introduce a bill next year allowing for the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools. In Ohio, the legislature passed a resolution of "support, understanding, and sympathy" for the Adams County School District's effort to fight the ACLU's attempt to force the removal of Ten Commandments monuments outside four county schools.
This wave of events is noteworthy in light of what is taking
place on Capitol Hill. In Congress, the conference on the
Juvenile Justice bill will soon meet to finalize the package
that contains a provision allowing states and local
governments to authorize the display of the Ten Commandments
on state property. The legislation also preserves the
rights of individual citizens in state institutions and
other public forums to freely express their religious faith.
FRC has played a leading role in promoting this legislation
since its drafting stage. It was originally introduced by
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) in June 1998.
This is encouraging.
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