Church State Council’s Alan Reinach discusses the renewed effort going into putting these Commandments on display.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision last year to require governments not to discriminate against religious speech, there has been some talk about requiring the public display of the Ten Commandments.
With this new rule in place, many believe that the Commandments would hold high stature on display. In fact, the Texas Senate passed a bill last month that would require public schools to show these Commandments.
Following the passing, Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick noted that “allowing the Ten Commandments and prayer back into our public schools is one step we can take to make sure that all Texas have the right to freely express their sincerely held religious beliefs.”
But the real question is this—should governments be encouraging their display, and are those pushing to make the Ten Commandments more prominent even keeping them? Here now to discuss this further is Seventh-Day Adventist minister and attorney Alan J. Reinach, Esq. His expertise will certainly be welcome in this matter.
Q&A:
- The Supreme Court some years back struck down efforts to require the public display of the Ten Commandments. What has changed, and why do some states think the time is right to push the issue?
- Even if it is now legal to require the public display of the Ten Commandments, is it a good idea?
- The Ten Commandments were first given to Israel in ancient times. Can you speak to their relevance for society today? You are a Seventh-day Adventist minister as well as a constitutional lawyer.
- Why do you say that those pushing for the display of the Commandments are not actually keeping them?
5. Where can listeners go to get more information about the Groff case, as well as your organization, the Church State Council?
Those wishing to learn more can visit http://www.churchstate.org.
About Alan J. Reinach, Esq….
Alan J Reinach, Esq., is a Seventh-day Adventist minister and attorney, and is lead trial counsel for petitioner, Gerald Groff. He has served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Church State Council, the oldest public policy and legal services organization in the southwest devoted to religious freedom and the separation of church and state since 1994. For more than three decades, his law practice has emphasized representing workers denied religious accommodation, or subjected to harassment and/or retaliation because of their faith.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001, or geraldmcg@outlook.com.
