The dispute over prayer and religious displays in Alabama public buildings, including the courtroom of embattled Judge Roy Moore, continues to heat up. State Senator Roger Benford has introduced legislation which he says is intended to legalize the display of Ten Commandments plaques in courtrooms and school classrooms throughout the state. The bill would permit "prominent display" of the Decalogue along with reproductions of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. He told reporters: "As a conservative Christian, I support Judge Moore's decision to display the Ten Commandments," and noted that his proposal support the right of free speech and religion. The bill provides that "the exercise of these rights" somehow did not indicate sanction or approval by the state of Alabama or any government authority under its jurisdiction.

According to the Birmingham Times, reaction from fellow legislators was mixed. Sen. Bobby Denton (D-Tuscumbia) said, "It may be better to leave these matters of religion and morality and things like that to individuals their worship places." He also commented on Alabama Gov. Fob James' threat to call out the national guard, suggesting that "the governor probably spoke hastily... I can't see troops being necessary to be sent to a courtroom (sic)." James has also vowed to use the state police and the University of Alabama football team if necessary to defy any federal orders to remove the Decalogue plaque, or end prayer in state courtrooms.

But Benford's proposal drew enthusiastic support from Dean Young, a crony of Judge Moore and executive director of the Christian Family Association, the state affiliate of the American Family Association. "We need to put the Ten Commandments back in the classrooms," Young declared, adding that it was appropriate for the legislators to enact such a law.

The Times noted that Benford's bill did not address the issue of Moore's practice of beginning official court sessions with a prayer invocation orchestrated by local Baptist clergymen.

Judge Moore On Theology

Meanwhile, the man who started the current ruckus -- Judge Roy Moore of Etowah County -- insists that the Ten Commandments plaque which he carved and displays on the wall of his chamber has nothing to do with religion but instead is meant to honor the "God of the Holy Bible." Moore made the remarks on the NBC "Today" program, insisting that "God's not a religion. If God was a religion (sic), then every piece of money we have in our possession marked 'In God We Trust' would say 'In Religion We Trust.' "

The court ruling ordering Moore to remove his Ten Commandments plaque from the courtroom, and put an end to opening court business with prayer has been stayed by the Alabama Supreme Court pending its own ruling.

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