January 29, 2002: ACLU-TN Files Lawsuit Challenging the Posting of the Ten Commandments in Hamilton County

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, January 29, 2002

For more information, contact
Hedy Weinberg, 615-320-7142

ACLU-TN Challenges Posting of Ten Commandments
in Hamilton County Buildings

On behalf of a coalition of clergy and concerned residents, the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) today filed a lawsuit challenging the posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings in Hamilton County.

According to ACLU-TN Executive Director Hedy Weinberg, “The posting of the Ten Commandments in public buildings is divisive to religious diversity. The role of government is to ensure that individuals have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to adhere to a particular religious faith. However, when government promotes religion, that right to religious freedom is jeopardized. The posting of the Ten Commandments by government is an endorsement of a religious doctrine.”

In the lawsuit, ACLU-TN argues that the posting of the Ten Commandments violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits government from promoting or supporting religious doctrine. The postings are in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Building, the Hamilton County-Chattanooga Courts Building, and the Hamilton County Courthouse.

According to plaintiff Robert Siskin, “This country was founded by people who came seeking religious liberty. Religious liberty means having the right to select the religion you prefer or no religion at all. I believe firmly in the moral lessons that we have learned from the Ten Commandments. However, when the government posts a religious document, such as the Ten Commandments, it gives preference to one religious belief over another and threatens religious liberty. When government posts religious documents, it is promoting religion."

Plaintiff Reverend Roland Johnson, Jr. said, "It is a dangerous thing when politicians attempt to co-opt religion for their own selfish agenda."

Plaintiffs include Reverend John W. Mingus, Sr., Rabbi Philip Posner, Reverend Melanie Morel Sullivan, Rabbi Josef Davidson, Reverend Roland Johnson, Jr. and concerned citizens Tom and Nancy Bibler, Brad Guagnini, William David Jones, Robert and Priscilla Siskin, and Tracy and Donna Knauss. ACLU-TN also is a plaintiff on behalf of its members in Hamilton County.

ACLU-TN cooperating attorneys are Hugh Hamilton of Chattanooga and Susan Kay of Nashville.

ACLU-TN is asking that the three Ten Commandments displays be taken down in order to protect religious freedom for Hamilton County residents. Weinberg explained that “ACLU-TN brought the lawsuit to ensure that individuals have the right to decide for themselves whether to practice a particular religious faith or to post the Ten Commandments in their homes or in their businesses. Were government to prohibit these postings, ACLU-TN would fight to protect citizens’ right to promote their religious beliefs and practice their religious faiths. That is what we are here for.”

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