Press Release

Court Bows to Popular Pressure With Split Decision

For Immediate Release - Contact: Roy Speckhardt (202) 238-9088
rspeckhardt@americanhumanist.org - www.americanhumanist.org

June 27, 2005

(Washington, DC) The Supreme Court’s split rulings drew strong reactions among Humanists; a group discriminated against when religious displays are supported by their tax dollars.

“We support the court’s decision that the Ten Commandments displays constitute a violation of the Establishment Clause when a religious intent for the display can be proven, but are sorely disappointed by their decision to allow such displays when they are portrayed to supposedly honor the nation's legal history,” stated Mel Lipman, president of the American Humanist Association.

“The battle isn’t over, and Humanists will continue to fight for the separation of religion and government,” vowed Tony Hileman, AHA executive director. “Due to the split nature of the decision and its reasoning, more cases will undoubtedly follow, and we Humanists intend to be central players.”

“By allowing government endorsed religious displays, the Supreme Court implies it’s willing to disregard millions of Americans. Those who identify with no religion, as well as faithful Buddhists, Hindus, and others, don’t subscribe to this monotheistic display. Also disregarded are the many Christians who believe that Ten Commandments displays constitute idolatry or political trivialization of their sacred texts and symbols,” added Lipman.

The AHA submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, joined by sixteen other national organizations, that addresses the two Ten Commandments cases. “The brief makes clear that, “The content, context, and history of the displays...clearly show that the government’s purported purpose was a sham and that the primary purpose was religious.”

“To endorse a sectarian point of view is not the duty of government. This ruling is a setback. But we will continue to fight for stronger church-state separation,” concluded Hileman.

The American Humanist Association is the oldest and largest Humanist organization in the nation. The AHA is dedicated to ensuring a voice for those with a positive nontheistic outlook, based on reason and experience, which embraces all of humanity .

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