The posting of the Ten Commandments should not arouse such hostility
Hostility? Too strong a word. Some of the commandments make perfect sense. What rational person would argue against admonitions not to lie, steal or murder? On the other hand, the commandment to "hold no other god before me", for example, is specifically religious, (Judeo-Christian), and does not belong in public schools in a pluralistic society. Home, church, and private schools are proper venues for such teachings, for those who subscribe to them.
The sensibilities of the majority have been continually offended by such hostility
I don't think so. Perhaps it is viewed thusly by a minority of fundamentalists who believe that the United States should be a Christian theocracy. The US is not a Christian Nation. It is a nation, populated by a diverse Christian majority, founded upon the premise of the inviolate individual rights of its free citizens. I don't believe that that distinction is overly subtle to anyone with half a brain. The freedom to practice, or not practice, any religion one so chooses and the use of government to mandate specific religious doctrine are completely different issues.
those who cannot abide even innocuous displays of religious sentiment...
It doesn't bother me, personally. I really enjoy some forms of religious art, music and architecture. Same with Christmas displays. But there must be a line drawn somewhere between church and government or we run the risk of such "innocuous displays" evolving into State Religion. If the fundies can't handle freedom and diversity, tough. |
