Alabama Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Amendment to Display Ten Commandments

Among the somewhat overlooked ballot amendments that passed last week was Amendment 1 in Alabama, which voters in the state passed by a wide margin of 71% to 28%. While the amendment will not require schools and other public institutions in Alabama to display the Ten Commandment, it will authorize them to do so if they wish.

Ballotpedia describes the amendment as such: “Amendment 1 added language to the state constitution to authorize the display of the Ten Commandments on public property, including public schools. Amendment 1 required the Ten Commandments to be displayed, according to the measure, ‘in a manner that complies with constitutional requirements,’ including being mixed with historical or educational items. The measure prohibited the state from using public funds to defend the constitutionality of the amendment.”

Because of the language therein, this could wind up being little more than a symbolic vote. The ACLU and other atheist organizations are chomping at the bit to file suit the moment one of these displays go up; courts have ruled largely in favor of these groups on the grounds of separation of church and state. It is possible that public schools and courthouses will get away with displaying the Ten Commandment if they put them in conjunction with other historical artifacts, but we doubt that will be enough to keep the lawyers in their pen.

Still, we take some comfort in knowing there are still places in this great country of all that aren’t afraid to put God on the ballot and come out in force to support Him. That it will enrage the special atheist groups and the ACLU and all them…well, that just makes this story all the sweeter. Sorry, but no one’s ever going to convince us that measurable harm is done when the state puts a display of the Ten Commandments up in a school or a courthouse. We don’t even think that anyone ELSE thinks that. They just want to cause a ruckus, make some noise, and get the donations rolling in.