God rears his head in the strangest places.
Like, for instance, Montgomery, Ala.
A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to refuse to block a lower court’s order to remove a 5,300-pound granite monument bearing the Ten Commandments outside of a courthouse in that city has created a schism among some folks.
Thank God.
Sound confusing?
It shouldn’t. In fact, it shouldn’t be anything at all because it never should have happened.
Hello, my name is the separation of church and state. Have we met?
Thankfully, Alabama’s state Supreme Court justices overruled the Chief Justice and the monument is coming down.
But still, partake in the moral quandary with me, if you will.
Alabama, home to some of the most wretched and disgusting acts of hate in this nation’s history-one of the last states to racially integrate its population-and a state whose flag still harkens back to the days of Confederate life, is suddenly home sweet home for all God stands for.
But that’s not the issue, I know.
The fact of the matter is that the U.S. Supreme Court is forcing Alabamians to deny the existence of God by declaring this monument unconstitutional.
Or are they?
In 1980, the Supreme Court prohibited the Ten Commandments from being displayed in public school classrooms.
I’m no judge, but I’m guessing the reason behind this was to protect the sanctity of freedom of thought.
Let children find God on their own.
Or through their parents.
Or maybe not at all.
Why shouldn’t that same idea extend beyond the walls of a classroom?
I know the old story of serial killer A or B on death row finding Jesus at the last moment.
But should he really be forced to meet him in the parking lot?
Don’t get me wrong.
I’m not against public worship, and I’ve attended my share of bar mitzvahs and temple services, but what does a Class A felony charge have to do with “Thou shalt not steal?”
Actually, don’t answer that.
And not to play devil’s advocate when talking about God, but isn’t having an image of Anglo Christian and Jewish iconography outside a public building a little bit intimidating/threatening to non-believers or non-dogmatic religions?
Again, I’m not a judge.
But the question begs to be asked.
All I’m saying is that if you really want people to know that God loves them, why not go all the way?
Erect a Buddha, a Vishnu or a pagoda.
God, in all his glory, is not present in a hunk of granite in downtown Montgomery any more than he is in a potato chip in Akron, Ohio.
Churches are built for a reason.
I would encourage everybody to find their faith any way they can. But, I can’t stomach having things shoved down my throat.
According to CNN, Chief Justice Roy Moore installed the monument in the building’s rotunda two years ago.
He did it to fulfill the campaign promise that he made to the citizens of Alabama to “restore the moral foundation of law.”
Ironic, then, that he felt compelled to break one to accomplish that feat.
God bless America.
Unless, of course, you live in Alabama.