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Reactions To Summum Opinion Vary Widely

By Howard M. Friedman

Reactions by religious groups to yesterday's Supreme Court decision in the Summum case are varied. Some groups, like Liberty Counsel, applauded the decision, saying: "This case means that the government will not be forced to include a display devoted to atheism every time it displays a Nativity scene." Becket Fund was pleased that the Court "recognized an important exception for invited 'private messages' installed on permanent public monuments."

Summum's attorney, Brian Barnard, has a different take on the case. He says the decision opens the way for him to amend the lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of the 10 Commandments monument that is in Pioneer Park in Pleasant Grove City. (Salt Lake Tribune.) However the Keep the Commandments Coalition says: "This decision vindicates ... the tens of thousands of people who believed in preserving the public display of the timeless values of the Ten Commandments..." (Christian Newswire.)

Groups like the Interfaith Alliance were unhappy with the decision, saying that "it allows communities to favor one religious tradition over another." AJCongress essentially agrees. (JTA). However ADL, normally a supporter of church-state separation says: "The Court's appropriately narrow decision does not disturb the bedrock constitutional principle that government may not favor one religion over another." Finally, Legal Times praises Justice Alito for setting out (in a footnote) the full text of John Lennon's lyrics to the song "Imagine."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 26, 2009 (boomark / email).