The United States Supreme Court was ordained and established in 1789. However, over four decades ago, restructuring of beliefs and morals saw the Supreme Court making radical changes to our forefathers original intentions. The blatant abhorrence by many and the restrictions imposed on today´s society concerning the issue of separation of Church and State is again in question. Because of some officials and the proverbial ‘think tank crowds´, the Ten commandments, Bible reading, prayer in schools, businesses and government facilities were deemed unlawful. In essence, all that was right and holy was easily discarded in the name of progress(?) and the foundational principals of our founding fathers were no more.

After September 11, 2001, the rules have changed and one must wonder if this new resurgence of patriotism and searching for God will last. Is it only a temporary situation spawn from fear and uncertainty and reinstated not by the changing of laws but by an act of war? One can only wonder how long these liberties will last before once again, they are trampled underfoot and cast aside. The following displays the original design and purpose of the United States government and its institutions, and sadly, how far we have strayed from the liberty and justice for all. -Tara Hart

The Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, was designed by Cass Gilbert and was completed in 1935. Engraved in stone above the head of the Chief Justice are the Ten Commandments with the great American eagle protecting them. Moses is included among the great lawgivers in Herman A. MacNeil´s marble sculpture Group on the east front.

The United States Supreme Court in 1844, in the case of Vidal v. Girard´s Executors Justice Joseph Story delivered the court´s opinion in the case. The case concerned one Stephen Girard, a deist from France, who had moved to Philadelphia and later Died. In his will he left his entire estate, valued at $7 million, to establish an orphanage and school, with the stipulation that no religious influence be allowed. The city rejected the proposal, as their lawyers declared:
“The plan of education proposed is anti-christian, and therefore repugnant to the law… the purest principals of morality are to be taught. Where are they found? Whoever searches for them must go to the source from which a Christian man derives his faith - the Bible…. there is no obligation to teach what the Bible alone can teach, this pure system of morality. Both in the Old and New Testaments which are religious instruction´s importance is recognized. In the Old it is said, “Thou shalt diligently teach them to they children.” And the New, “Sufffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not.” No fault can be found with Girad for wishing a marble college to bear his name for ever, but it is not valuable unless It has the fragrance of Christianity about it!

The United States Supreme Court rendered its unanimous opinion, stating:
“Christianity is not to be malicously and openly reviled and blasphemed against, to the annoyance of believers or the injury of the public. It is unnecessary for us, however, to consider the establishment of a school or college, for the propagation of
Deism, or any other form of infidelity.

Such a case is not to be presumed to exist in a Christian country. Why may not laymen instruct in the general principles of Christianity as well as ecclesiastics.

And we cannot overlook the blessings, which such lay men by their conduct, as well as their instructions, may, nay must impart to their youthful pupils. Why may not the Bible, and especially the New Testament, without note or comment, be read and taught as a divine revelation in the schools - its general precepts expounded, its evidences explained and its glorious principles of morality inculcated?

Where can the purest principles of morality be learned so clearly or so perfectly as from the New Testament?”

United States Supreme Court 1884, in reference to the individual´s God-given rights, stated :
“These inherent rights have never been more happyily expressed than in the Declaration of Independence, “ we hold these truths to be self-evident” - that is so plain that their truth is recognized upon their mere statement - “that all men are endowed´ - not by edicts of emperorers or decrees of parliament, or acts of Congress, but “by their Creator with certain inalienable rights and that among them are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to secure these” - not grant them but secure them “ - governments are instituted among men.”

United States Supreme Court 1931 in the case of the United States v Macintosh, Justice George Sutherland delivered the courts decision regarding a Canadian seeking naturalization by reiterating the Court´s decision in 1892:
“We are a Christian people…according to one another the equal right of religious freedom, and acknowledge with reverence the duty of obedience to the will of God.”

United States Supreme Court 1948, in the case of McCollum v Board of Education.
Justice Felix Frankfurter rendered the court´s opinion:
“Traditionally, organized education in the Western world was Church education. It could hardly be otherwise when the education of children was primarily study of the Word and the ways of God. Even in protestant countries, where there was a less close identification of Church and State, the basis of education was largely the Bible, and its chief purpose inculcation of piety….”

Note: next week we will continue this study starting with 1952 and beyond.