Ten Commandments

Step into city hall or a state or federal building and you're likely to see a copy of the Ten Commandments hanging from the wall or etched in a marble sculpture.

But should those religious displays be there? The The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider just that question.

The court announced Tuesday that it will hear arguments about the constitutionality of displays in Kentucky and Texas. But a decision likely won't come until July.

The court's decision could impact Missouri because a Ten Commandments display sits on the grounds of the state Capitol. The monument was donated by the state chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1958.

The justices already have said that the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public schools. Yet, courts across the land have split on whether religious exhibits in government buildings violate the principle of separation of church and state.

The battles have been emotional. Supporters believe that removing the Ten Commandments is another means of erasing religion from our culture. Critics say that the court should block all government displays of religious documents. Others contend that displaying the Ten Commandments shows more favor to the Judeo-Christian tradition and ignores other faiths that might be present in a community.

Religious issues are often difficult cases for the Supreme Court. And this should be no different since the Ten Commandments contain both religious and civil directives not to steal, kill or commit adultery.

Regardless of what the court decides, the Ten Commandments remain a part of Scripture. But it might be prudent to heed one of the commandments and not make graven images out of these religious displays.