Christians Pray for Landmark Ten Commandments Cases
Christian clergy and laity gathered outside on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court for prayer services prior to the landmark Ten Commandment cases that were heard Wednesday. Lead by the Faith and Actions Rev. Rob Schenck and the Christian Defense Coalitions Patrick Mahoney, the Christians prayed that the values embraced in the Ten Commandments can be recognized the by the high court.
"It is our hope and prayer that the Justices of the Supreme Court will honor and respect the principles of the First Amendment and our Founding Fathers and allow the public display of the Ten Commandments, said Mahoney.
The values embraced in the Decalogue have been the foundation of American jurisprudence for two centuries and have united citizens of all faiths, traditions and beliefs," he continued. "If the First Amendment was crushed in these cases, the United States government would have to sandblast thousands of Ten Commandments displays from public buildings...including the Supreme Court itself."
In addition to the vigils, which began on Tuesday, supporters of the Ten Commandments held rallies and news conferences outside of the Supreme Court as arguments for the monuments were heard Wednesday.
The cases are Van Orden v. Perry, 03-1500, and McCreary County v. ACLU, 03-1693.