PBS - Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly - Summum says Seven Aphorisms Should Be Displayed if 10 Commandments Displayed

PBS Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
November 14, 2008

BOB ABERNETHY, ANCHOR:  Religious groups have been following closely a case the US Supreme Court took up this week. The question is whether a city that accepts a monument donated by one private organization must accept and display a monument from any other private group. The case involves the city of Pleasant Grove, Utah, which displays in a city park a monument of the Ten Commandments donated by the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Lawyers for a small Utah church calling itself Summum told the court if Pleasant Grove is going to display the Ten Commandments, it must also display the Seven Aphorisms of the Summum faith.

Mr. BRIAN BARNARD: A small religion wants to express itself just like the Eagles have been allowed to express themselves for the last 40 years. It's a matter of simple fairness.

ABERNETHY: Several justices appeared skeptical, including Chief Justice John Roberts, who wondered whether the government might later be compelled to carve any president's likeness into the side of Mount Rushmore.

The attorney for Pleasant Grove argued a decision in favor of Summum could have dire consequences.

Mr. JAY SEKULOW: I think disastrous. I think next to the Vietnam Memorial you could see a memorial saying that the soldiers got what they deserved.

ABERNETHY: The case has also focused attention on the Summum faith, which says when Moses came down from Mount Sinai, it was not the Ten Commandments he was holding but rather Summum's guiding principles, the Seven Aphorisms. The High Court's decision in the case is not expected before next spring.