Houston faces own biblical battle

[Khephra]

Houston faces own biblical battle
By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

As controversy erupts over an Alabama judge's battle to keep a Ten Commandments monument in that state's judicial building, Houston's own church/state wrangle -- centering on a tattered Bible displayed in front of the civil courthouse -- simmers just below the point of litigation.

In May, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels rebuffed a call from the American Civil Liberties Union to remove the Bible from the granite monument, which has stood at the front door of the civil courthouse, at 301 Fannin, almost half a century.

Eckels said he would consider the request, presented by civil rights lawyer and ACLU board member Randall Kallinen, but did not believe the display violates the constitutional separation of church and state. Eckels spokesman Stephen Cooney said Friday the judge stands by that position.

"It's still unconstitutional," Kallinen responded, adding that he has met with Eckels about the matter and hopes to meet with him again. "He took responsibility for the Bible. He's not going to move."

more................

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2062276

[alaine]

1. This may be a stupid question...

I've never been a witness or been charged with a crime so I don't know, but do they still make you swear on the bible in court?

It seems like we started out as a nation founded by deists and then got more and more fundy and now maybe thanks to having such a fundy flamer president we are getting some of the weeds pulled...

[Paschall]

2. From what I understand...

...use of the Bible and the phrase "so help me God" for oath-taking depend on the state or jurisdiction. Some use it, some don't.

[kimchi]

4. You don't have to swear on the Bible if you don't want to.

You can just promise to tell the truth.

[Rose Siding]

3. A battle worth the fight but...

I hope they wait until after the redistricting mess is dealt with.