Church And State Separation Examined As High Court Hears Commandments Case

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 22: The Ten Commandments monument that was removed from the Alabama Judicial Building is on display during the "America for Jesus" rally October 22, 2004 at the National Mall in Washington, DC. Although the U.S. Constitution prohibits an official state religion, references to God appear on American money, the U.S. Congress starts its daily session with a prayer, and the same U.S. Supreme Court that has consistently struck down organized prayer in public schools as unconstitutional opens its public sessions by asking for the blessings of God. The Supreme Court will soon use cases from Kentucky and Texas to consider the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments displays on government property, addressing a church-state issue that has ignited controversy around the country. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)