MCCREARY COUNTY v. ACLU The American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) sued three Kentucky counties in federal district court
for displaying framed copies of the Ten Commandments in
courthouses and public schools. The ACLU argued the displays
violated the First Amendment's establishment clause, which
prohibits the government from passing laws "respecting an
establishment of religion." The district court and the Sixth
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the displays violated the
establishment clause. - Do Ten Commandments displays in public
schools and in courthouses violate the First Amendment's
establishment clause, which prohibits government from passing
laws "respecting an establishment of religion?" 2. Was a
determination that the displays' purpose had been to advance
religion sufficient for the displays' invalidation? Legal
provision: Establishment of Religion Yes and yes. In a 5-4
opinion delivered by Justice David Souter, the majority held
that the displays violated the establishment clause because
their purpose