House panel expands bill to artwork, symbols, even the Golden Rule
STAN BAILEY
News staff writer

MONTGOMERY - Some shook their heads. Others called it a stunt. But state Rep. Ken Guin threw everything but the kitchen sink Wednesday into a proposed constitutional amendment to allow state employees to "meet, pray and read holy scriptures" in the work place and post religious symbols in Alabama's public buildings.

Insisting that he was serious but conceding that his proposal was unconstitutional, Guin, D-Carbon Hill, said a proposed amendment to allow the Ten Commandments to be posted in public schools doesn't go "far enough."

"I'm just tired of the Legislature being lukewarm," Guin said after offering a proposed amendment that would allow everything from the teachings of Jesus and the Golden Rule to religious paintings or symbols to be posted in public buildings across the state.

At Guin's request, the House Elections Committee, which he chairs, approved his proposed amendment by a vote of 10-3. Guin said he offered his proposal as a substitute for a bill to allow the display of the Ten Commandments in Alabama public schools. The Senate already has passed that bill.

Dean Young, executive director of the Alabama Family Association, who originally proposed the Ten Commandments bill, said Guin's substitute was "a stunt to slow down or kill it."

"He's been consistent about trying to stop the Ten Commandments from being voted on," said Young. "The consequences for Guin will be great. He will feel them at the ballot box when he is up for election."

After going "to a quiet place to do some meditating," Guin said he became convinced that the original Ten Commandments bill wasn't "going far enough."

Guin's substitute bill said, "Christianity teaches that when Jesus Christ died and arose a new covenant was established setting aside the old law for that of the New Covenant." It said the teachings of Jesus to love your neighbor as yourself "would, if adhered to by all citizens, transform the state."

Guin said that if the original Ten Commandments bill were being offered to get a court challenge, and he thinks it is, then the Legislature should go all the way and authorize the posting of Proverbs, "the teachings of Jesus and the Golden Rule, which is more important than the Ten Commandments."

"We're passing something that is unconstitutional. If we're going to do that, we may as well put it all out there," said Guin.

"This bill is clearly designed to be declared unconstitutional," said State Rep. Johnny Curry, R-Hueytown, who voted against it.

"I think they are both unconstitutional," said Guin.

"Thank you for confirming it," said Curry.

Guin's bill would let taxpayers designate a portion of their income tax refund to a special fund to defend the state against lawsuits developing from such "morality" legislation.

It would allow the display of "religious writings, paintings, prints and symbols in public common spaces of the building" owned by the state. And it states, "It is appropriate for the Legislature of Alabama to encourage citizens of the state to treat each other with a spirit of agape love and kindness."

In a wacky move during the discussion, Rep. Joseph Mitchell, D-Mobile, walked to a State House window, stuck his head outside and yelled, "Mitchell calling Earth."

Mitchell said he disagreed with the description of the Ten Commandments as a foundation of America's laws. Mitchell said they did nothing to prevent "racism, sexism or slavery."

State Sen. Gerald Dial, D-Lineville, who sponsored the Ten Commandments bill in the Senate, said Guin's proposal, under the Legislature's rules, can be tabled when it comes up for consideration on the House floor. The original Ten Commandments bill would then come up for a vote.

"I want to give the people of this state an opportunity to vote on this bill," Dial said.

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