As the controversy over posting the Ten Commandments in
public buildings continues to rage, one woman is taking her passion for the
ancient law code—not to the streets—but to the home.
Rebecca Huffman of Shepherdsville says the events of Sept.
11, as well as the continuing court battles inspired her to make several
versions of the Ten Commandments for people to post in or outside their
homes.
"Very few people, including myself, had the Ten Commandments
in their homes," Huffman said referring to a passage in the Old Testament
book of Deuteronomy: "And these words, which I am commanding you today,
shall be on your heart….and you shall write them on the door posts of your
house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:6,9)
Huffman said the passage inspired her to design several Ten
Commandment plaques including indoor versions that resemble etched glass and
granite and a more durable outdoor rendering of carved wood. Although she
said she has received several compliments on the artistry of her designs, she
insists that it is the message that is most important, and that she has
already seen the message’s impact in her own family.
"My nieces and nephews had me read them and we talked about
them," she said, explaining how posting the Ten Commandments on her own house
jumpstarted an important heritage-building discussion.
Huffman’s project reflects only one expression of local
interest in the ongoing battle over posting the Biblical law code. The most
recent public action occurred last May when Federal District Court Judge
Joseph McKinley delivered a temporary injunction ordering the Ten
Commandments taken down from the Grayson County Courthouse. The injunction is
temporary because McKinley is waiting for the decision of a higher court, the
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, to rule on a similar case regarding the
Commandments in three Eastern Kentucky Counties—Harlan, Pulaski and McCreary.
There are now seven Kentucky counties involved in litigation with the
American Civil Liberties Union over the right to post them.
Until then, though, Huffman is happy to take her Ten
Commandment campaign to the earliest established governing body—the family.
