[1]WASHINGTON (BP)–A measure enabling the 10 Commandments to be displayed on state property was among an assortment of amendments addressing religion and media depictions of violence and sex to be attached to a juvenile justice bill by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House approved the Consequences for Juvenile Offenders Act after adding not only the 10 Commandments measure but riders supporting religious symbols and language on public school memorials and requiring schools and libraries to use filters to protect children from online pornography. The shooting massacre of 12 students and a teacher by two young men at a Littleton, Colo., high school was a focus of the debate on a variety of amendments offered to the legislation.
Representatives adopted the 10 Commandments Defense Act Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Robert Aderholt, R.-Ala., in a 248-180 vote. The bill says a state has the authority to display the 10 Commandments on property owned or administered by it.
The members also adopted a measure saying memorial services and memorial markers on school property can be religious without being unconstitutional.
Another amendment adopted would require public schools and libraries that receive discounts for Internet access to install filters to prevent children from accessing child pornography and obscenity. The Senate Commerce Committee approved similar legislation June 23.
The House, however, defeated two amendments seeking to deal with explicit violence and sexuality in the entertainment media. One would have outlawed the sale of explicit sexual or violent material unprotected by the First Amendment. Representatives also turned back an attempt to establish a federal labeling system for movies, videos and video games that include violence.
Other amendments added to the juvenile justice bill June 16 and 17, according to The Washington Times:
— Urge the entertainment media to eliminate graphic violence;
— Call for a report by the U.S. Surgeon General on media violence;
— Allow faith-based organizations to receive state funds.