| Mixed Feelings Over Commandments in State House |
| (Columbia) - For centuries, the Ten
Commandments have been contained within the Old Testament. But a
Senate Finance subcommittee has approved a bill allowing the Ten
Commandments to be displayed at the State House, setting the wheels
in motion for potential controversy. “It's just a feel-good legislation, that (the subcommittee) is for the Ten Commandments,” said State Senator Kay Patterson. “Fine, whoopee. But will that help any of our citizens in South Carolina?" Senator Patterson has said he would vote for the bill if it gets to him. “I'm not against the 10 commandments,” he said. “But I think you oughta emulate them and live them, and not display them." Meanwhile, at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, opinions were mixed. “It seems to be a proper thing to do … to put them up (at the State House),” said one church-goer. “I think this is very unnecessary,” said another congregant. “I think the Ten Commandments are a great part of my life, always have been, but I don't think we need to display them around in public buildings." As for whether the legislation will gain any steam in the senate? “I think it will,” said Senator Patterson. “Because that's the way a whole lot of people in the general assembley think." |