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MADISONVILLE (WATE) - A group that's been involved disputes over the separation of church and state is behind the delay to a public display which includes the ten commandments.
The ten commandments were supposed to go on display at the Monroe county courthouse Thursday. Monroe county officials held off over the threat of legal action.
6 News has learned that the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion foundation sent a letter to county Mayor Tim Yates. Despite the change in state law allowing a display of "historical documents" including the commandments the foundation argues the display is still a violation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The letter calls the other documents a ruse. "The real purpose is to re-display the bible edicts and thereby place governmental support behind one dominant religion and its teachings."
Mayor Tim Yates say the county law department is gathering information. He says it's going to be about six weeks before the county makes a decision about putting up the display.
The ten commandments were on display in the courthouse until a 2005 lawsuit by the ACLU.