Plano, TX- A three judge panel on the 5th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals just ruled in the Harris County Bible Case, Staley v. Harris County. By a 2-1 vote, the judges declared the display of the Bible in a 50-year-old monument on the grounds of the Harris County Civil Courthouse unconstitutional.
The majority argued that although it one time passed constitutional scrutiny, its recent history would force an observer to claim that it was a government establishment of religion on public grounds. “The panel majority exhibits an appalling hostility to any hint of religion in public spaces,” said Judge Jerry Smith, dissenting Circuit Judge.
In 1956, Star of Hope built the monument to honor philanthropist William S. Mosher for his hard work and dedication to helping the homeless and poor in Houston. The top part of the monument is a glass-topped display case reading: Star of Hope Mission, Erected in Loving Memory of, Husband and Father, William S. Mosher, A.D. 1956. Inside the display, there is an open Bible to memorialize the motivation for Mosher’s generosity.
“This is very disappointing and absolutely wrong,” said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for Liberty Legal Institute. “Hostility to religion is not the law and hopefully this will be overturned.”
The case, Staley v. Harris County, originated when Kay Staley, supported by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, argued that she was offended by the monument and that the Bible should be removed.
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