Ten Commandments: Utah non-Christians say ruling shows respect for all religions

The Ten Commandments periodically become national news, but at the U.S. Supreme Court building they are a daily, prominently displayed reminder — particularly to non-Christians — of the country's dominant religious orientation.

Not that they mind, some said this week when asked to comment on the Supreme Court's ruling that any display containing the commandments must emphasize history, not religion. Neither purpose bothers them particularly, as long as America continues to respect — and acknowledge — other religions.

While in the wake of the ruling secularists and Christian groups continue to wrangle over the laws that Christians and Jews believe were handed down by God to Moses, non-Christians in Utah say they appreciated the Supreme Court protecting the tradition of separation of church and state to some extent.

As a Hindu and U.S. citizen, Indra Neelameggham of South Jordan said she doesn't take offense with the Ten Commandments being displayed, as long as her freedom to be Hindu and practice her beliefs are acknowledged and respected.

"I really personally don't have any qualms of people displaying the creed of their religion, as long as it doesn't invade the space of anybody else," Neelameggham said.

Of course, there are other non-Christian faiths that also consider the Ten Commandments sacred.

"We believe that Moses received those revelations from God," said Iqbal Hossain, chairman of the Khadeeja Mosque in West Valley City. "We have reverence for the Ten Commandments."

However, Hossain said he also considers the separation of church and state very important in protecting his right to practice his religion without persecution.

"We need to be true to the principle that this country is based on," Hossain said. "If you claim to be a secular nation, and there's a separation of church and state, then displaying the Ten Commandments in a public building, you're not being true to the principle."

Like Neelameggham, Hossain said he praises the U.S. Supreme Court's decision because, compared to other countries — despite some criticism — the United States has achieved something remarkable.

"America has been a country that has been able to, for the most part, maintain the separation of church and state as a principle," Hossain said. "That's laudable because not a lot of countries have been able to do that."

The Ten Commandments are also significant in the Jewish faith. For some Orthodox Jews, the presence of the Commandments is welcomed.

"I think the presence of the Ten Commandments on government property is part of the ongoing need for mankind to acknowledge the everlasting interaction between God and the world," said Rabbi Benny Zippel of Chabad Lubavitch of Utah.