Rokita and Braun Seek Court Approval for Ten Commandments Monument at Statehouse

Indiana officials are advocating for the installation of a monument featuring the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights at the state’s Capitol. Governor Mike Braun and Attorney General Todd Rokita are urging the court to reconsider previous rulings that prevented such placements.

Background of the Monument

The origin of the current situation dates back to 2000, when Indiana attempted to replace a Ten Commandments monument that had been vandalized. This replacement monument included both the Ten Commandments and the Bill of Rights.

However, the Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit, claiming that placing the monument on state property would breach the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. This clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

Changes in Legal Interpretation

Recent Supreme Court rulings have altered the interpretation of the Establishment Clause. In a court document filed on December 29, Rokita argued that the injunction against the monument should be lifted, as it is based on outdated legal principles.

Rokita referenced the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the precedent established by the case Lemon v. Kurtzman. The “Lemon Test,” derived from this case, evaluates whether a law has a secular purpose, does not advance or inhibit religion, and avoids excessive government involvement with religion.

Current Advocacy

Rokita asserted that the Supreme Court has moved away from the Lemon Test and has upheld monuments like the Ten Commandments on public property in other states. He emphasized that the court now interprets the Establishment Clause concerning historical practices rather than hypothetical sensibilities.

On Tuesday, Braun took to social media, asserting that the monument’s ban relies on a legal standard that is no longer valid. He expressed the sentiment that it is time to reinstate the monument where it truly belongs.

Potential Impact of Approval

If the court approves the motion, the monument would be relocated from its current site in Bedford to the Indiana Statehouse grounds. This initiative aligns with a nationwide trend advocating for the incorporation of the Ten Commandments into public spaces, including government buildings and schools.

• Proposed Monument Features:
  • Ten Commandments
  • Bill of Rights
• Historical Context:
  • Previous monument vandalized in 2000
  • Lawsuit filed by Indiana Civil Liberties Union
• Legal Developments:
  • Challenging the Lemon Test
  • Supreme Court ruling on historical practices
• Support from State Officials:
  • Governor Mike Braun
  • Attorney General Todd Rokita